Holden W. 'Arkie' Callis, 97

Holden W. "Arkie" Callis, 97, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Kootenai Medical Center. 

Arkie was born Sept. 19, 1913, in Coeur d'Alene, to George and Maude (Bishop) Callis. After his mother's untimely death, when he was just 1 year old, he went to live with his aunt in Arkansas.

He came back to Coeur d'Alene with the C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the early 1930s.

On Jan. 31, 1941, Arkie married Frances Alexander in Coeur d'Alene and they were married until she passed in 1997.

Arkie was an auto mechanic by trade. He owned "Arkie's Garage" from the early 1940s until 1965. After closing his shop he worked for a bakery in Spokane and Nearing Bros. Logging as a fleet maintenance technician.

In 1975 he went to work for Coeur d'Alene Auto Parts (NAPA) as a machinist and later a delivery driver after his semi-retirement in 1980.

Arkie had a great since of humor and loved music, along with getting together with friends like Wally Betz and Marshall Kinney to jam on his guitar.

Arkie outlived all his relatives but is survived by close friends Brian, Janice and Nickie Odenthal, Sybil McCormick and Tony Lapan, all of Coeur d'Alene.

Per his request no services will be held.

Contributions in his honor can be sent to the Wishing Star Foundation, 139 S. Sherman, Spokane, WA 99202 or www.wishingstar.com.

English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, has been entrusted with the final arrangements.