Virgil Escoe Lewis

Virgil Escoe Lewis age 80 of Polson passed away peacefully Saturday, November 7, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Escoe was born October 29, 1929 in Hardin, Montana 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 US 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 surivived by his wife of 40 years Viola, sisters: Ruth Pinkerman of Polson, and Rosemary Jensen of Pasco, Washington: children Merrie Gale (Craig) Padilla, of Polson, Mark Anthony (Sharon) of Portland, Oregon, Steven Escoe (Terri) of Belgrade, Mt, and 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. There will be a memorial service with military honors for V. Escoe Lewis held at the Polson Lakeview Cemetery on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. At 4:00 p.m. that evening there will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of V. Escoe and V. Viola Lewis, located on the East Shore of Flathead Lake. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is assisting the family. www.groganfuneralhome.com
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