Harold Glenn Oglesbee passed away at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Jan. 17, 2011.
He was born on May 18, 1925 to Harold G. and Violette Millikan Oglesbee in Spokane, WA, where he lived through his high school years.
He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served as a Staff Sergeant during WWII as an Aerial Gunner in a B17. Stationed in England, he and his crew flew many missions over Germany, and for that he was proudly awarded the AAC Air Medal.
After the war he returned to Spokane and began teaching skiing at Mt. Spokane. He joined the Professional Ski Instructors of America, of which he became a life-long member. During that time, he also served as a PSIA Examiner of Instructors all over the west, including at Big Mtn., Whitefish.
In 1960 he moved to Sun Valley, ID, where he was a well-respected ski instructor for 14 years and taught many celebrity clients. During these years, he also worked as a master finish carpenter.
He met and married Phyllis Claar Oglesbee in 1972 in Sun Valley. They later moved to Twin Falls, ID and then to Anacortes, WA, where he continued in carpentry and remodeled several historical buildings in the downtown area. In their spare time, he and Phyllis sailed around the San Juan Islands in their 32-ft. boat named "Calico."
Wishing to live closer to the grandchildren, they sold the boat and moved to Kalispell in 1993. Harold worked on various building projects until he retired.
He was a big fan of jazz music and especially of the Latin jazz group "Cocinando." Mark Holston, founder of the group, became his good friend.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of Kalispell; his brothers, Bob Stokes of Spokane and Dick Stokes of Mesa, AZ; his daughter of Kirkland, WA, Janice Dickerman and husband Gary; stepdaughters Susan Maw (husband Steven) and Dallas Traeger (husband William) of Kalispell; and Sally Bell (husband Daniel) of Hamilton, MT. He had 10 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.
Cremation has taken place at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Memorial services are pending at this time.