Aug 5
Obituaries: Jack Weir Lenk
BAR Staff READ TIME: 2 MIN.
December 31, 1939 – July 17, 2025
Jack Weir Lenk passed away peacefully July 17, 2025, at age 85 in his beloved Castro neighborhood of San Francisco.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Jack came of age in the 1950s as a gay man, hiding his true self from his mother and older brother, but finding acceptance from his sister, Wanda “Flip” Walters – a dancer and choreographer – and his father, Walter Lenk, a drummer with the Francis Craig Orchestra.
After a brief time in Santa Barbara, Jack arrived in San Francisco in 1967. He worked for 12 years as a bartender at the late Rikki Streicher’s iconic Castro bars. In June, Jack spent time with the new owners of Rikki’s, Sara Yergovich and Danielle Thoe, sharing stories – including how he famously had to escort Janis Joplin from the bar on more than one occasion. He continued working in food retail for the next five decades.
In later years, Jack discovered a passion for long-distance running, completing numerous marathons – including the Boston Marathon twice. He was also a devoted supporter of the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony, where music became one of his lifelong joys.
Though Jack often described himself as a loner, he built a chosen family among the neighbors and friends at Diamond Heights Village, who surrounded him with care as his health declined. A lifelong animal lover, Jack was especially devoted to his dog Lola-Mae, a long haired Havanese.
Jack served as HOA president for many years and was instrumental in upgrading the community landscaping – a vibrant, Zen-influenced mix of trees, cascading ponds, and ground cover that continues to draw admiration.
Per his wishes, Jack’s ashes will be scattered in San Francisco Bay, alongside the ashes of his cherished pets: Baby Fawnie, Poco (1984), Alfie (1993), Beauregard (1996), Miss Kittie (2004), Sister Sassy (2007), Mama Sophie (2013), Brother Bob (2022), and Lola-Mae (2024).
A gathering of remembrance will be held this fall in the Diamond Heights Village Center Courtyard, the landscaping of which was largely Jack’s creation, honoring the friends and neighbors who cared so deeply for him over the years. For information, email charlie@parknorth.com.
