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Alvin J. Strange, 77

| September 16, 2010 10:00 PM

Alvin J. Strange, 77, of Blanchard, passed away Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, in Newport.

Alvin was born Sept. 12, 1933, in Newport, the son of Jesse W. and Flavia I. (Stensen) Strange. Alvin spent most of his life in the Newport area graduating from Newport High School in 1952. After High School Alvin joined the U.S. Army where he was a decorated soldier serving in Korea. On Sept. 13, 1958, he married Geri Capellen. Alvin went to work for the Newport School District in 1952, where he was a mechanic and a school bus driver retiring in 1992. One of his most enjoyable activities from the time he was 15 years old was playing Santa Clause for the many children in the Newport and Blanchard areas. He continued to play Santa Clause until 2008, when his health wouldn't permit it anymore. Santa Clause Lane in Blanchard was named in his honor.

Alvin loved to hunt and fish and he belonged to the Blanchard Grange.

Alvin is survived by his wife Geri at their home in Blanchard, two sons Ron (and Tracy) Strange of Priest River, and Jay (and Jayne) Strange of Osburn, Idaho, two daughters Kathy Strange (and Bill Jamison) of Oldtown, Idaho, and Beth (and Pete) Gokey of Blanchard, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two step-granddaughters four step great-grandchildren and his sister Eldine (and Chuck) Purcell of Spokane. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, at the Blanchard Cemetery with a celebration of his life to be held at the Blanchard Community Center immediately following. A visitation will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, at the Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home, in Newport.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com