Earl Curtis Weber

Earl C. Weber, 91, of Edmonds, Washington, died peacefully June 29, 2016 at the Northwest Medical Hospital having lived a full and rewarding life. Always keeping his dignity and sense of humor, and given his willingness to have a party around him, friends and family were at his side until his last breath. Born October 24, 1924, in Shawmut, Montana to Curtis and Sara Weber, he spent his formative years in Eureka, Montana surrounded by many cousins, aunts, and uncles. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and was discharged as a Corporal, 54th Group Carrier Wing, 5th Air Force, US Army. Dad served in the Pacific Theater during WWII following General MacArthur as he traveled through the islands and landed in Japan. Following discharge, he traveled to Seward Alaska to join his mother and father and earn extra money for college tuition. Earl played trumpet in a jazz quartet called, The Sophisticats, in the Noby Club where he met and married the love of his life, Natalie Thorp. Natalie was the hatcheck girl. With children and Natalie in tow, he decided to finish his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington Class of 49 where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Upon graduation Earl and Natalie headed off to Adna, Washington to start teaching. His best years he said, was when in Adna he became a high school teacher from 1950-55. In Adna, this man of boundless energy and devotion to family not only taught high school students, but became the bus driver, advisor to the school newspaper, in charge of the high schools Annual, and lead the band.His next daytime teaching job was at Jane Adams Jr. High School in Seattle and then at Edison Technical. In 1965, he received a Masters of Education degree from Seattle University. He advanced to the position of the head of the business department at Edison and eventually vice-president of the evening program. In 1965, he was selected to be a part of the founding working group that wrote the specifications of the Seattle Community College System that now includes three campuses. In part because of his efforts, Seattle became a nationally recognized leader in community college education. In 1982, he retired as the Dean of Instruction, Tech Applied Studies at North Seattle Community College.;mso-no-proof:yesEarl was happiest when partying with family and friends. Vacations usually involved travel to Glen Lake in Eureka Montana. He added to the familys weekend fun by making trips to Lopez Island. He took early retirement and enjoyed stays in the cabin in Packwood Washington. Through periodic scenic road trips throughout the northwest, Earl and Natalie visited Lewis and Clark landmarks while listening to jazz and big band music on the cars radio.While of us are built to have our children precede us in death, Natalie and Earl suffered a great loss of their beloved son, Jimmie in 1984. Natalie passed away eighteen years later. Earl is survived by his daughters Cherie Weber (Raymond) and Linda Weber Goldsmith (Geoffrey); grandchildren: Chris Weber, Kelly Kjarstad, and Paula Weber; and great granddaughter Kara Kjarstad.A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 630 - 7 Avenue N, Edmonds, WA; with a Graveside on Friday, July, 8, 2016 at 1p.m. at Tobacco Valley Cemetery in Eureka, Montana. Announcement: In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Holy Rosary School. Please reference the Scholarship Fund in memory of Earl and Natalie Weber. Send donations to: Principal Sue Venable, Holy Rosary School, P.O. Box 206, Edmonds, WA 98020.