The city of Port Orchard flew a special flag high above city hall during the Fourth of July holiday to celebrate the memory of an honored citizen.

Family and friends of former city council member and longtime resident Jack Grable gathered in front of city hall July 3 to watch as the flag presented to Grable’s wife, Betty, at his military funeral was hoisted onto the city flagpole. The flag, which remained attached to the flagpole for the 4th of July holiday, was flown to honor the former council member on what would have been his 86th birthday.

Grable died Sept. 8. As a WWII Veteran, volunteer firefighter and council member for 25 years one of Grable’s favorite things to do on the Fourth of July, his birthday, was to make sure people around Port Orchard had flags to fly in their yard on the holiday, said his daughter Jackie Grable.

“One of the things he loved to do was to make sure everyone had a flag,” Jackie said.

Grable moved his family to Port Orchard in 1961. The father of seven children, Grable volunteered with the local fire department, Free Mason and other groups. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2669 in Port Orchard, Jackie said. In 2002, he was honored as Port Orchard Man of the Year by the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce.

Jackie said her father would be thrilled to know the flag presented to his wife for his outstanding military service in WWII was flown in front of city hall for his favorite holiday.

“My dad loved Port Orchard,” Jackie said. “It’s the perfect tribute to him.”

Port Orchard Mayor Tim Matthes said Grable was part of a group of older men in town, including former mayor Paul Powers, that Matthes looked up to. He said Grable always had a smile on his face and was willing to help others around the city.

“They were part of what made Port Orchard home,” Matthes said.

The flag was taken down July 5 and returned to the Grable family.