Frank C. Durk, Jr., 81

Frank C. Durk, Jr., was born Sept. 4, 1929, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Frank C. Durk, Sr., and Lola Mae (Lowe). The family moved to Ely, Nev., and then on to Williams, Calif. It was at high school in Williams where he met his future wife, Carole Nordyke.

Frank served at wartime, in the U.S. Army First Cavalry Division in Korea. Upon returning from Korea, Frank considered buying a commercial truck and starting a trucking company. With input from his wife, Carole, Frank decided to pursue a career in the lumber business. He started out working at Diamond Match Company in Williams, Calif., as a lumber handler. After a series of promotions, Frank was promoted to Manager of the Diamond Lumber yard in Lodi, Calif. Frank was an innovator in the lumber business. Having worked his way up to manager, he developed plans for a series of pre-fab cabins. He was also first to have a door-shop in his lumber yard. Frank was promoted to vice-president and Western Retail Divison Manager and moved to the main office in Sacramento. Frank retired from Diamond International in 1984 after serving 34 years.

He enjoyed the outdoors and teaching his sons, Mark and Mike, the fine art of fishing, a sport they both love today. Both were amazed how dad's "magic" fishing pole always caught fish.

Frank also enjoyed watching both sons play football on championship teams at Mira Loma High School, Calif., in the 70's.

Frank was a lifetime member of Veteran of Foreign Wars in Coeur d' Alene and Hayden. He was also a member of the Kootenai Masonic Lodge #24, Coeur d' Alene. While in Lodi and Sacramento, Frank served on the Board of Deacons for local Presbyterian Churches. He was affiliated with the N.I. Unity Church in Coeur D'Alene.

Frank is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carole; his sons and daughters-in-law: Mark and Debbie of Granite Bay, Calif.; Mike and Marita of Hayden Lake; three grand-children: Steven, Kristen and Katie; and one great-grandchild, Hayden.

Memorials would be appreciated to Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472. Thank you's to By The Lake Assistant Living and Auburn Care Hospice for their special TLC Services.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel. Please visit Frank's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com