Virgil Escoe Lewis, 80

Virgil Escoe Lewis, 80, of Polson, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Escoe was born Oct. 29, 1929, in Hardin, to Kenneth Arnold Lewis and Mary Escoe Rumfelt Lewis. He grew up in Hardin and graduated from Hardin High School in 1950. He entered the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1951. In 1952 he was inducted into the Army at Fort Hood, Texas, and in 1954 he transferred to the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1959. In 1954 he married Billie LaFern Brown in Hardin and moved to Billings where their four children were born. He worked for Allis Chalmers for a year, and then, in 1955, began a 23-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. In 1970 he married Violet Viola Pinkerman, stewardess with Western Airlines. He clipped her wings and they relocated with the postal service to Kalispell in 1971. In 1978 he retired and moved to the east shore of Flathead Lake where he and Vi worked their cherry orchard, golfed, and enjoyed lake living. He was a self-taught craftsman; he loved making beautiful wood items including cabinets, chests and small lathe-turned pieces for many family members and friends. He loved people and people loved him, he was well known for his witty sense of humor. His electric personality brightened the days of everyone around him. His personality was one that made you feel good. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to us all. We will miss him very much. Escoe was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sheryl Shari Lynn; and brothers, Robert William and Kenneth Elmer. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Viola; sisters, Ruth Pinkerman of Polson, and Rosemary Jensen of Pasco, Wash.; children, Merrie Gale and Craig Padilla, of Polson, Mark Anthony and Sharon of Portland, Ore., and Steven Escoe and Terri of Belgrade; grandchildren Jason, Emily and Alicia; great-granddaughter, Lucy Ella; nieces, Debbie, Karen, Mary, Kari and Lisa; and one nephew, Kenneth Paul Kip Giles. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lake County Search and Rescue or any charitable organization of you choice. A memorial service to celebrate Escoe s life will be announced at a future date. Arrangements and cremation are under the care of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com