Alfred Karlis

Alfred Karlis, a Raymond resident died Friday, December 8, 2017; he was 96. Alfred was born August 10, 1921 in Endicott, New York to Benjamin and Amelia (Gosewiez) Karlis. After graduating from Raymond High School in 1940, Al worked as a salesman for most of his life. In 1946 he began working sales at Jensen Furniture until 1982. In 1984 he worked for Bayview Lumber until his retirement in 1986. In 1942 U.S. Coast Guard where he was sent to Radio School and became a radioman on board the Coast Guard Cutter Bonhaum. He services to an island in Sitka, Alaska to finish his duties until the war ended in 1946. He married Paula June Porter in 1959 in Othello, Nevada. Al was involved with many organizations. He was the March of Dimes Chairman, a member of the Pacific County NFIP, the Raymond Lions, and served as Commander for the Raymond American Legion Post #150 in 1963. Al was active in the local Boy Scout Fund Drive and with the Board of Community Betterment Study, the Tourist Center, as well as a life member of the Raymond Elks and a life member of the Eagles Club. He enjoyed fishing, working in the flower gardens and found joy in volunteering his time. Al and June made memorable trips together visiting Mexico, Tahiti, Spain, Monaco, Tunisia and Bora Bora. Al is survived by his nephew Joe (Doreen) Medak, and three nieces Susan (Barni) Boggs, Sandy (Don Zakel) Medak, and Stacey (Howard) Hardin. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife June in 2009 and by his brothers John Karlis and Joe Medak. In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s memory may be made to Willapa Harbor Helping Hands at PO Box 597, South Bend, WA 98586 or H.A.V.A. at PO Box 243, Raymond, WA 98577. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo where Military Honors will be accorded. Arrangements are in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Alfred Karlis please visit our Sympathy Store.