Windows On The Clearwater an Internet site
Eugene Julius Tarola
Eugene Julius Tarola, 97, of Lewiston, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.
Eugene was born in Elk River on Aug. 16, 1916, to Julius and Nina (Wylie) Tarola. He took his first flying lesson in 1931 and continued to fly throughout his life. He graduated from Orofino High School in 1933. He was a clerk in the Orofino Post Office until early 1941 when he joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He served until late 1945 in the Central Pacific and Asiatic areas during World War II, reaching the rank of master sergeant. Upon his return from the service, he purchased the Richfield Service Station in Lewiston and operated it for five years. Eugene married Margaret Englehardt on May 22, 1949, and they raised five children. After he sold the service station, he joined Empire Airlines, followed by West Coast Airlines and then Air-West as a station agent at the Lewiston airport. During this time he was also active in the Civil Air Patrol for a total of 14 years, serving as squadron commander and lieutenant colonel. Then in 1967, Eugene joined the Vo-Tech staff at Lewis-Clark State College as maintenance supervisor, from which he retired in 1981. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 896, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Eagles Nez Perce Aerie 631 and Lewis Clark Engine Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret Tarola; and his brother, David Tarola. He is survived by his five children, Diane Tarola, Joanne (Dan) Speck, Wayne Tarola, Cynthia Tarola all of Lewiston and Elizabeth (Rick) Servatius of Scottsdale, AZ. Surviving relatives also include his brother, Robert (Patricia) Tarola of Arlington, TX; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Mountain View Funeral Home, Seventh Street and Cedar Avenue, Lewiston. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Transcribed by Michal Berret-Beck