Howard Lester Chalker

Ocean Park resident Howard L. Chalker Jr., 77, died in Palm Desert, California on March 30, 2011 following a short illness. Born in Oakland, California on April 24, 1933 he was the son of Howard Sr. and Rennie (Boone) Chalker. As a child Howard moved with his parents to Gresham, Oregon where he grew up and graduated from Gresham High School. Following high school Howard joined the United States Air Force. It was during this time that he met Lois Young and they were married September 12, 1953 in Layton, Utah. They initially resided in Spokane, Washington while Howard completed his military service. Howard resided in Gresham until moving to the Peninsula in 1967. After coming to the Peninsula, Howard was employed as manager of Pete's Lumber in Seaview before becoming a self-employed building contractor. He then accepted the position as building inspector for Pacific County, retiring in 1996 after 17 years of service. Howard was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Long Beach. He was an avid golfer, a handyman who shared his many skills with others, an excellent role model to his family who was always interested and involved in their activities, and a man blessed with many friends. He and Lois enjoyed snow birding to Desert Center, California until her death in 2005 after which Howard enjoyed the warmer winter months there himself. Howard is survived by a brother Harvey Chalker of Santa Fe, New Mexico; son Greg Chalker of Ocean Park, WA; daughters Terri Mitchell of Ocean Park and Debbie Barr of Clatskanie, OR; grandchildren Scott Baker, Luanne Ferrell, Shawna Perez, Danielle Nevarez, Cody Chalker, Colten Chalker, Jessie Barr, Jason Barr, Riley Hill, and Shalisa Hill; and five great-grandchildren. Besides his wife, Howard was preceded in death by a daughter Connie Houser and a grandson Eric Lusk. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 8. 2011at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview, Washington. Graveside service follows at Lone Fir Cemetery in Long Beach with a luncheon reception at the Church Center social hall. Penttila's Chapel by The Sea in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.