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| June 14, 2017 8:29 AM

Carl Willis McLauchlin

Carl passed away on Sunday, May 28, at the V.A. retirement home in Lewiston, Idaho. He was 85. He was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 27, 1932, to Wm. Alton and Ollie Mae McLauchlin. Carl was born the fourth of five children with two sisters, Mabel and Lee, and two brothers, Bert and Earl. When Carl was 16, the family moved to Columbia Falls, where he attended high school.

Carl served in the Navy after high school during the Korean War. He had a tour on the USS Iowa, was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, and played basketball while there.

On Aug. 15, 1951 Carl married his loving wife, Nadine Grigg, in Columbia Falls. Carl and Nadine enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Out of this union five children were born. After the service Carl and Nadine moved and settled in Ronan where they developed friendships with many people. Carl worked at the Plum Creek sawmill in Pablo until he retired in 1994.

Carl and his friends horse-packed into the Bob Marshall Wilderness for a week or more at a time. He treasured those times very much. He loved to hunt, fish, and spend time outdoors with his friends and family. He especially loved to tease his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who absolutely loved him.

Carl was preceded in death by his wife Nadine, his parents, his siblings, grandson Jacob Higgins, and great granddaughter Jadyn Moss. He is survived by his five children: Carla (Michael) Higgins of Grand Junction, Colorado; Lea (Quintin) Kemper of Princeton, Idaho; Connie McLauchlin of Rosalia, Washington; Jay (Karen) McLauchlin of Tonopah, Nevada; and Deann (Mike) of Rosalia, Washington. Additionally he has 20 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the Veterans Administration Retirement Home in Lewiston, Idaho for the wonderful care Carl received there and for the special “Veteran’s Farewell” pass and review performed for Carl.

A celebration of life memorial will be held in Ronan on July 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the VFW Hall. The family also asks that, in lieu of any flowers, donations be made to the IVAL Lewiston, 821 21st, Lewiston, ID 83501.