Howard Arthur Cumbo, 81, died peacefully in the North Valley Extended care in Tonasket Sept. 19 2012.

Howard was born Dec. 10 1930 to Alva and Irene (Ludwig) Cumbo in Leavenworth. Howard’s family lived for a brief time in the Methow Valley before settling in Chewelah, where he graduated High School in 1949. After high school Howard joined the U.S. Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War and discharged in 1953.

After the Army he met Byrdie Thrasher who was a nurse at Deaconess hospital. They moved to Oroville and were married on June 4, 1954.

They bought a small orchard and he started working for Zosel Lumber in 1955 and retired from there in 1992. He served on the Oroville Fire Department from 1958 until 1992.

Howard enjoyed hunting and fishing and passed his love for that to his three children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed raising bees with his son Ken and was a state apiary inspector for Okanogan County. After retirement he enjoyed yard sales and auctions and antiquing with his wife Byrdie. Later he became very involved with the Oroville Senior Center where he was on the board and held office. He loved to play pinochle every Saturday night at the Center.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Dale and Floyd; wife, Byrdie; daughter, Theresa and son, Wayne.

He is survived by his son, Ken (Jan Hansen) of Oroville; six granddaughters: Melisa (Jeremiah) Garcia of Mesquite, Nev., Jennifer Allenby of Oroville, Alysia Cumbo of Ellensburg, Brea (Mark) Blakney of Wenatchee, Sara Horner of Fife, Wash. and Rachel Horner of Auburn, Wash. and 10 great grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Oroville Free Methodist Church with Pastor Rod Brown officiating. Interment will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Oroville. A luncheon will follow at the Senior Center in Oroville. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to the Oroville Senior Center or the Oroville Fire Department. Please share your thoughts and memories by signing Howard’s online guestbook at www.berghfuneralservice.com.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville and Tonasket in care of arrangements