World War II Veteran, Good Egg
One of the last two Sonoma County residents who were veterans of the battle at Iwo Jima, Israel Abraham "Izzie" Barlas, died on Jan. 23, 2007. He was 84.
A Petaluman by birth, Mr. Barlas was born on April 7, 1922 to Max and Esther Barlas. He was the youngest of six children and attended local schools, including Santa Rosa Junior College.
Mr. Barlas was a world traveler, bringing Barlas feeds and livestock to the Orient and the South Pacific, including the Philippines, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia.
His interest in the South Pacific was a result of his tour of duty as a U.S. Marine during World War II, taking part in four major battles: Guam, Bougainville, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
Mr. Barlas was on Iwo Jima during the famous flag-raising, a defining moment in the Pacific battles, that was captured on film by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
"It was like the light of victory at the end of the tunnel," Barlas said of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima during a November 2006 interview with the Argus-Courier. "When the first one went up, ships in the harbor blew their horns and Marines all over the island were shouting, and it was just a great feeling."
The war years as a Marine remained clear in his memory, and his pride in the Corps. contribution to the U.S. role in World War II was a cornerstone in his life.
As a Petaluma native, Mr. Barlas championed the city and in his extensive travels he found that Petaluma was the best place to live, work and raise a family. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Good Egg award, given annually to a Petaluma resident who has helped promote or contribute to the city. As a political activist, he served many years as an elected member of the Democratic Central Committee and was a grassroots member of the Petaluma Democratic Club.
His family said that Izzie genuinely loved his friends, and their love for him was expressed by their attentiveness and support during his last weeks.
Mr. Barlas is survived by his wife, Helene, with whom he would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in April 2007.
He is also survived by his son, Lance, and two grandsons. He is survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Obituary published Petaluma Argus-Courier
February 1, 2007 (edited)
One of the last two Sonoma County residents who were veterans of the battle at Iwo Jima, Israel Abraham "Izzie" Barlas, died on Jan. 23, 2007. He was 84.
A Petaluman by birth, Mr. Barlas was born on April 7, 1922 to Max and Esther Barlas. He was the youngest of six children and attended local schools, including Santa Rosa Junior College.
Mr. Barlas was a world traveler, bringing Barlas feeds and livestock to the Orient and the South Pacific, including the Philippines, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia.
His interest in the South Pacific was a result of his tour of duty as a U.S. Marine during World War II, taking part in four major battles: Guam, Bougainville, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
Mr. Barlas was on Iwo Jima during the famous flag-raising, a defining moment in the Pacific battles, that was captured on film by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
"It was like the light of victory at the end of the tunnel," Barlas said of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima during a November 2006 interview with the Argus-Courier. "When the first one went up, ships in the harbor blew their horns and Marines all over the island were shouting, and it was just a great feeling."
The war years as a Marine remained clear in his memory, and his pride in the Corps. contribution to the U.S. role in World War II was a cornerstone in his life.
As a Petaluma native, Mr. Barlas championed the city and in his extensive travels he found that Petaluma was the best place to live, work and raise a family. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Good Egg award, given annually to a Petaluma resident who has helped promote or contribute to the city. As a political activist, he served many years as an elected member of the Democratic Central Committee and was a grassroots member of the Petaluma Democratic Club.
His family said that Izzie genuinely loved his friends, and their love for him was expressed by their attentiveness and support during his last weeks.
Mr. Barlas is survived by his wife, Helene, with whom he would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in April 2007.
He is also survived by his son, Lance, and two grandsons. He is survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Obituary published Petaluma Argus-Courier
February 1, 2007 (edited)
World War II Veteran, Good Egg
One of the last two Sonoma County residents who were veterans of the battle at Iwo Jima, Israel Abraham "Izzie" Barlas, died on Jan. 23, 2007. He was 84.
A Petaluman by birth, Mr. Barlas was born on April 7, 1922 to Max and Esther Barlas. He was the youngest of six children and attended local schools, including Santa Rosa Junior College.
Mr. Barlas was a world traveler, bringing Barlas feeds and livestock to the Orient and the South Pacific, including the Philippines, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia.
His interest in the South Pacific was a result of his tour of duty as a U.S. Marine during World War II, taking part in four major battles: Guam, Bougainville, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
Mr. Barlas was on Iwo Jima during the famous flag-raising, a defining moment in the Pacific battles, that was captured on film by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
"It was like the light of victory at the end of the tunnel," Barlas said of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima during a November 2006 interview with the Argus-Courier. "When the first one went up, ships in the harbor blew their horns and Marines all over the island were shouting, and it was just a great feeling."
The war years as a Marine remained clear in his memory, and his pride in the Corps. contribution to the U.S. role in World War II was a cornerstone in his life.
As a Petaluma native, Mr. Barlas championed the city and in his extensive travels he found that Petaluma was the best place to live, work and raise a family. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Good Egg award, given annually to a Petaluma resident who has helped promote or contribute to the city. As a political activist, he served many years as an elected member of the Democratic Central Committee and was a grassroots member of the Petaluma Democratic Club.
His family said that Izzie genuinely loved his friends, and their love for him was expressed by their attentiveness and support during his last weeks.
Mr. Barlas is survived by his wife, Helene, with whom he would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in April 2007.
He is also survived by his son, Lance, and two grandsons. He is survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Obituary published Petaluma Argus-Courier
February 1, 2007 (edited)
One of the last two Sonoma County residents who were veterans of the battle at Iwo Jima, Israel Abraham "Izzie" Barlas, died on Jan. 23, 2007. He was 84.
A Petaluman by birth, Mr. Barlas was born on April 7, 1922 to Max and Esther Barlas. He was the youngest of six children and attended local schools, including Santa Rosa Junior College.
Mr. Barlas was a world traveler, bringing Barlas feeds and livestock to the Orient and the South Pacific, including the Philippines, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia.
His interest in the South Pacific was a result of his tour of duty as a U.S. Marine during World War II, taking part in four major battles: Guam, Bougainville, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
Mr. Barlas was on Iwo Jima during the famous flag-raising, a defining moment in the Pacific battles, that was captured on film by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
"It was like the light of victory at the end of the tunnel," Barlas said of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima during a November 2006 interview with the Argus-Courier. "When the first one went up, ships in the harbor blew their horns and Marines all over the island were shouting, and it was just a great feeling."
The war years as a Marine remained clear in his memory, and his pride in the Corps. contribution to the U.S. role in World War II was a cornerstone in his life.
As a Petaluma native, Mr. Barlas championed the city and in his extensive travels he found that Petaluma was the best place to live, work and raise a family. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Good Egg award, given annually to a Petaluma resident who has helped promote or contribute to the city. As a political activist, he served many years as an elected member of the Democratic Central Committee and was a grassroots member of the Petaluma Democratic Club.
His family said that Izzie genuinely loved his friends, and their love for him was expressed by their attentiveness and support during his last weeks.
Mr. Barlas is survived by his wife, Helene, with whom he would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in April 2007.
He is also survived by his son, Lance, and two grandsons. He is survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Obituary published Petaluma Argus-Courier
February 1, 2007 (edited)
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