Dale W. Clovis

12/1/1924 — 3/16/2016

Service Date: 6/11/2016
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Dale W. "Rufe" Clovis passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Life Care Center of Lewiston at the age of 91. Rufe was born Dec. 1, 1924, to Clyde and Christy Clovis at home in Craigmont. He was the seventh son out of nine - 11 siblings in total. His brother Lawrence passed away at the age of 2. Rufe and his other siblings attended and graduated from Craigmont High School. During the summers he worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Blister Rust Control and hoed beans on Central Ridge outside of Nezperce. He was quick to say he was "no scholar" during his school days, but maintained his grades in order to be eligible to play sports. His favorite sport was basketball. In 1943, he was the leading scorer for his basketball team when it won the Idaho State Championship game.

After high school, Rufe was drafted for military service. His choice for service was the U.S. Marine Corps. After finishing boot camp, he was sent to radio school at the USMC base in San Diego. When radio classes were finished he was assigned to the 5th Joint Assaults Signal Company "JASCO" in September 1944. During his time in the military, Rufe was at the invasion of Iwo Jima that began Feb. 19, 1945, and continued to March 27, 1945. He was there for all 36 days of the battle. After Iwo Jima, Rufe was stationed in Nagasaki and Sasebo, Japan. He was honorably discharged in May 1946.

After discharge, he returned home and married a Nezperce girl, Josephine Miller, on Nov. 28, 1947. They had three children, David, Debora and Elizabeth "Libby." Rufe and Jo lived and raised their young family in Craigmont at which time he owned and managed at the Craigmont Hardware. In 1965, they moved to Lewiston, where he worked at Reed's Hardware and the Lewiston Grain Growers, from which he retired. In their spare time they loved to play cards and spend time with family and friends. Rufe and Jo were married 65 years until Jo's death in August 2012.

Rufe also had a passion to work in his yard and prided himself on his tomato crop. Rufe was a longtime member of Al-anon. He also enjoyed reading and watching his favorite shows "Jeopardy," "Wheel of Fortune" and watching sports, especially college basketball.

He also was a loyal follower of the Seahawks and the Mariners.

Rufe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jo; nine of his siblings, Gladys, Alta, Philip "Brick," Joseph "Joe," Clyde "Earl" "Curly," Lawrence, Glenn, Alan and Robert.

He is survived by his older brother, Jim of Clarkston; his three children and their spouses, David (Joanne) Clovis of Boise, Debora Clovis (David Durfee) of Gambrills, Md., and Libby Clovis of Lewiston; his four grandchildren, Matthew and Kristin Clovis of Boise, and Samuel and Nathaniel Durfee of Gambrills, Md.; and many nieces and nephews.

A military graveside service will be held a later date yet to be determined. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home and Crematory of Lewiston.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rufe's memory may be made to Craigmont Fire Department, P.O. Box 250, Craigmont, Idaho 83523; Ilo-Vollmer Historical Society, P.O. Box 61, Craigmont, Idaho 83823; or to the charity of your choice.