Dennis Edward Fulk

Dennis Edward Fulk

Dennis Edward Fulk, formerly of Elgin and La Grande, OR, passed away peacefully on Sept. 25th, 2018 at almost age 79, from complications of prostate cancer.

Dennis was born in Horton, KS on Oct. 13th, 1939 to Iniece and Charles Fulk. The family of seven transferred to Juntura, OR where Charles worked for the Pacific Rail Road. Dennis spent many happy and carefree childhood years hunting, hiking and fishing with his Dad and family in the local hills, rivers and lakes. Because Juntura had only a one room elementary school house, the family moved to Vale, OR for the remainder of the school years.  It was at VHS where Dennis became an exceptional wrestler, winning the state title three years running, and the same at VHS football.  It was in Vale that Dennis met his sweetheart, Lois Hansen, whom he later married.

After HS, Dennis wrestled for Boise Jr. College, where he was undefeated both years, and won the regional titles. Dennis and Lois worked and lived at the Boise Childrens Home on Warm Springs, Ave. It was here that they had not only three children of their own, but they also cared for the children who resided at the home, many of whom came from the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Several of these kids continued to keep in touch with Dennis and Lois throughout their lives.

Upon graduation from BJC, Anne Morrison, who was on the board for the Boise Childrens Home, offered to personally pay tuition at the College of Idaho, if Dennis would remain and work at the Boise Childrens Home for the next few years. Dennis rode his Honda 90 motorbike every day from Warm Springs to the College of Idaho, in Caldwell, ID.

Upon graduation, Dennis, Lois and their three children moved to Elgin, OR, where Dennis was offered a teaching position at Stella Mayfield as a Junior High History teacher. He began and built a successful HS wrestling program, and also coached Junior High and High School football. Dennis, and Mo Donigan began a program for underprivileged kids called the "Saturday School". This program became very popular with the students because of the field trips to the Oregon Coast, Wallowa Lake, and more.  In the summers, Dennis worked for Boise Cascade Lumber Mill, and spent time in the mountains, cutting firewood and poles to sell for extra money. Dennis loved Eastern Oregon, and spent many summers camping, hunting and fishing with his family.

In 1975, Dennis took a job as a relief driver for United Parcel Service during Christmas Break from school. The following summer, he was offered a full-time job, driving the route from LaGrande to Enterprise, Joseph, and Wallowa Lake, OR. Before the next school year, the family moved from Elgin to LaGrande, OR. Dennis retired with UPS after 25 years with a perfect safe driving record.

Retirement didn't hold his interest for long, so he decided to see the country while working and pulling Terry Camp Trailers all around the Pacific Northwest to dealer sites.  He also worked at the LaGrande airport where he renewed his pilot's license and bought a Cessna 150. He spent a lot of time flying around the Wallowa mountains, and the deserts in the Owyhee Canyons. He also took some night art, welding, and woodworking classes from the talented Don Hendricks, at Elgin HS.

Dennis was a life-long hunter and collector of Indian Artifacts, and Arrowheads. He spent many hours reading and studying history books about the Native American People. He had a steel trap memory of dates and details of US and World History. He knew the World Globe and Geography like the back of his hand. He followed politics, and had a vast knowledge of the US Governments, House and Senate.

Dennis spent one winter in Quartzite, AZ, where he met up with a flintknapping group, and learned to make his own arrowheads. He spent one summer in Alaska where he camped, explored, fished, and went crabbing, and clamming with his two Springer Spaniel dogs, Jack and Jill.

In 2006, Dennis decided to move closer to his kids and grandkids, and found a wonderful community with fellow pilots, and hobby ethusiasts, on the Snake River at Sunrise Skypark in Givens, ID. He was able to spend many hours attending his grandkids' volleyball, basketball, baseball, track, football, rugby, ice hockey, and school events.  He attended several HS, and College Graduations, weddings, receptions, holidays, camping trips, and cruises. He loved attending Boise State Football games, and traveled to many away games. He became a member of the Owyhee Gem and Rock Club where he met many friends, and spent time hunting rocks and gemstones in the Owhee canyons.  He loved to garden, go on long sight-seeing drives, hikes, 4-wheeling rides in the Owyhees, and river rafting and float trips.

Dennis loved to work on hobbies in his Air Hangar at Sunrise SkyPark. He restored two 1960 Corvairs, and his most prized possession; a 1934 Ford Street-Rod. He was able to take the '34 Ford to several local car shows where he won trophys and awards.

Dennis was an extremely hard worker his entire life. He had huge calloused hands, and seemed to have endless energy, strength, interests and talents. He loved life and he loved his kids and grandkids.  He was a wonderful Father, Grandfather, and Great- Grandfather who will be missed beyond words.

Dennis is survived by his three children, Darla, (Fen) Frehner, Anaheim, CA, Debbie (Kelly) Saurey, Melba, ID, and Kevin (Wendy) Fulk, Meridian, ID.  Brothers, Don (Carolyn), Vale, OR, Johnnie Joe Fulk, (Patricia), VanCouver, WA, and sister Nancy Lane, Emmett, ID, 8 Grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Iniece Fulk, and his beloved baby sister, Terry (Steve)Vernholm.

The family would like to thank Dr. Benjamin Maughan, his staff and the care and compassion he received at the wonderful Huntsman Institute in SLC, UT.

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