Arvel Milton Rudolph, 83 passed away at a Boise care facility on Tuesday, December 15 surrounded by his family. He was born January 19, 1926 at Mapleton, Utah, the son of Archie Milton Rudolph and Inez Perry Rudolph. He was the first son, and one of nine children. He moved with his family to Burley, Idaho when he was 11 months old. He lived there until he was 16, when he moved to Boise, working at a café until he moved to Seattle, Washington to work for Boeing Aircraft. On August 12, 1943, he joined the Navy. He took his basic training at Farragut and then went to Treasure Island, California where he was involved in the commissioning of the destroyer U.S.S. Twining. He spent most of his time in the Navy aboard the Twinning in the Pacific fleet fighting the Japanese. His ship escorted the U.S.S. Missouri into Tokyo Bay when Japan surrendered. He was discharged from the Navy in 1945. and in 1946, he met the love of his life, Norma Shepard. They were married in 1947 in Burley, Idaho. Arvel spent his entire working career as a master carpenter. In 1967, he moved to Boise to become a building supervisor for Hon Construction Co.. This work allowed him the opportunity of building in Everett, Washington, Sun Valley, Cascade and Boise. He was preceded in death by his parents Archie and Inez, and brother Jim. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Norma; sons Rick and wife Jan Rudolph, Martinez, Ca., Layne and wife Cheryl, Boise, daughter Kara and husband Jack Lewis, Nampa, Idaho, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren; sisters Maxine Twedt, Lancaster, California, Bernyce Kalblinger, Nampa, Opal Wilcox, Twin Falls, Dixie Montgomery, Boise and brothers Perry Rudolph, Placerville, Ca., Reid Rudolph, Cheyenne, Wyoming and Riece Rudolph, Burley . Arvel was active in community service. He was President of the Burley Jaycees, a Boy Scout leader, a Cub Scout Leader, member of the Elks, Toastmasters and received an Idaho Life Merit Award for his work in PTA. He had a love of the outdoors, enjoying hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with his Good Sam group, the "Boise River Eagles." He enjoyed wintering in Yuma, Arizona. He spent his retirement building furniture and teaching his grandchildren the love of fishing and camping. The family wishes to express gratitude and thanks to the staff at the Idaho State Veterans Home for the loving care they gave Arvel during his three years there. A visitation will be Thursday, Dec 17th from 3:00 pm to 6: 00 pm, and funeral services will be held at 12:30 pm, Friday, Dec. 18th at Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City. Committal services will follow at 2:00 pm Friday, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the or your favorite charity.

Published in Idaho Statesman on December 17, 2009