Earl Bickford's Obituary
Earl Bickford
Earl was born, along with his twin brother Burl, to Guy and Ilda Bickford in Mineral, WA on August 23, 1921. A longtime resident of Tacoma, he passed away on August 11, 2011 in Port Angeles, just twelve days before his 90th birthday. Earl loved to tell stories of his growing up in Mineral; clearly Eastern Lewis County was the center of the universe! Earl is survived by his wife of 65 years, Thelma of Port Angeles, sons Dennis (Georgia) of Port Angeles, Neil (Michele) of Somerset, NJ, and Wade (Linnea) of Aiken, SC, sister-in-law Charlotte Bickford of Tacoma, grandchildren Kelly Tarp (Josef) of Sammamish, Martin (Collette) of West Richland, Jeffrey and Eric of Somerset, NJ, and Matthew and Laura of Aiken, SC, great-granddaughters Sarah and Katherine, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brothers Delbert, Emil, and Burl, and his sisters Garnette and Jewell. Earl served in the US Army during World War II as a Military Policeman, and after completing his service worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), surveying in numerous locations in the Western United States including the Dungeness River basin in Clallam County. Thelma rode a troop train to Miles City, MT, where they married while he was working in South Dakota. After his work for USGS he entered his longtime career in the forest products industry in Tacoma for St. Regis Paper Company (originally St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company), retiring in 1983 as the Products Sales Manager. His greatest pride was in his wife, three sons, their wives and families. Earl's strength, love, and courage will be greatly missed. Donations may be made to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, 540 E. 8th, Port Angeles, WA 98362. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at the Garden Chapel, Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, in Lakewood.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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