Ralph Leroy Harbison, 87
Ralph Leroy Harbison, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Sagle, Idaho, on Sept. 6, 2006.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006, at Coffelt's Funeral Home. Pastor Barry Johnson will officiate. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Friends may call to pay their respects at Coffelt's Funeral Home on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, between noon and 6 p.m.
Ralph was born Sept. 11, 1918, in Collins, Mont. He moved west to the Sagle area at the age of four. His father and older brothers came on a wagon while the rest of his family, himself included, came by train. When he was six years old, he attended the Algoma School. The property was later purchased by Ralph and Lois, and is now home to the Harbisons' Rock and Gift Shop.
Ralph served his country during World War II in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. He was a dental lab technician in New Orleans and made the false teeth that many of the soldiers required after fighting. While in Louisiana, he met his wife-to-be, Lois Durr, and they were married on Nov. 13, a Friday, in 1943.
After his discharge, they moved to the house Ralph purchased before the war in Ponderay, Idaho, where they lived until 1971, when they built the Rock and Gift Shop in Algoma. He also began working as a lineman for Northern Lights, serving all of North Idaho and western Montana, until he retired after 32 years of service.
Ralph had many hobbies that would keep him busy — tumbling stone, leather stamping, wood working, hunting, fishing and camping. But his first love was the steel guitar. He would play for the Eagles Lodge in Sandpoint, grange halls all over the Northwest, dances, and weddings. Besides the steel guitar, he played the violin, guitar and bass guitar. Every instrument was played by ear; he never learned to read sheet music.
He enjoyed being a rock hound, finding gems all over the Northwest. Ralph would cut and polish the stones they found, which Lois would later set into jewelry findings. He enjoyed making the faceted stones and talking to all of the customers who came into the shop.
Ralph's greatest pleasure was his family. The home he and his wife built in Sagle was the focal point for all the family to gather at during the holidays, where they enjoyed many great memories. He was a blessing and will be missed by all.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Durell and Gale Harbison; daughter, Lorna McNearney; four grandchildren, Annie (and Jerry) Nash of Kelso Lake, Idaho, Jess (and Lora) Harbison of Baltimore, Md., Mark (and Teresa) McNearney of Helena, Mont., and Lisa (and Sam) Anderson of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Melvin Harbison; and a sister, Nora Schaefer.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents; brothers, Cyrus, Clinton and Leonard; a sister, Adaline; and son-in-law, Charles "Sam" McNearney.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.