Pete P. Kubicek

His grandparents emigrated from Czechoslovakia and settled in Moulton, Texas.

Times were tough during the Great Depression, so Pete and his twin brother left school after the eighth grade to work and help feed the family. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in New Mexico at age 16, and then was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 18. He served in five campaigns during World War II, including Normandy. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Orofino to work in the lumber mill in Ahsahka. Upon its closure in 1976, he transferred to the Potlatch Corp. mill in Lewiston, where he retired in 1985.

He married Nadean Schubach on Nov. 19, 1949, and they were happily married for 48 years, until her death on July 11, 1998.

He married Leona Trent in 1999 and she preceded him in death on Jan. 24, 2010.

Pete was an avid fisherman, smoked a mean steelhead and cherished his once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska for halibut. He was very active in bowling for many years, participating in leagues and state championships.

Pete was committed to his participation in the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization and received an award for man of the year.

He enjoyed gardening and gracing his neighbors with gifts of oversized zucchini in their mailboxes.

Pete's mind remained sharp as a tack and he loved a good debate on sports and politics with whomever was up for the challenge.

Pete was also preceded in death by his parents; brother Johnny; and sister Rosie.

Surviving him are sister Willie Mae Pechacek; twin brother Ben Kubicek; brother Joe Pilat; and niece Rose Marie Warren, all from Texas. Also surviving are his in-laws, Bill and Prudy Schubach, Yvonne Schubach and June Pomerinke; and numerous other nieces and nephews. Pete especially leaves behind his niece, Karen Michael, who was like a daughter to him and Nadean.

The family would like to thank Bob and Myrna Roskam, and Rob and Bernie Koppel for their many years of wonderful friendship. We would also like to thank Juniper Meadows for giving Pete a great home for two years, and to Kindred Care Center and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Family Hospice for their loving care during his final weeks.

A service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the local VFW or St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Family Hospice.