Jack R Killian, 86, of Salinas, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Jack was born January 30, 1928, in North Platte, Nebraska. He graduated from high school at age 16 in May, 1944 and enrolled in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Neb., graduating in 1948. He was a gifted musician, playing the trumpet, trombone and various reed instruments. He was an active member of the marching band and played in various local dance bands. He taught high school at Maxwell, Neb. for two years, 1948-1950. He was drafted in October 1950 and served in the army in the Korean War in a mortar regiment, where he developed a new firing technique, which is the Army standard today. Jack was discharged in 1952 and moved to Salinas and became a teacher at Washington Middle School, teaching science and mathematics. He retired in 1983 to enjoy golf and bridge and playing in various local musical groups. He was preceded in death by two wives, Susanne in 1972 and Olivia in 2012. He is survived by his step-daughter, Susan Beck of Concord, Ca.