Carl attended grade school in Inchelium, riding his horse to school when weather permitted, and was home schooled in winter by his mother, a teacher. With no high school in Inchelium, he commuted to Spokane on his bicycle. He stayed with his aunt and attended Rogers High School.
After graduation from high school Carl returned to Inchelium to work on the ranch and travel the area grinding feed grain. He was a carpenter's assistant during the construction of the Inchelium Hotel and began his first public service as a deputy sheriff, patrolling the town at night.
Carl enlisted in the Army in 1940 when it was clear the United States would soon be involved in World War II. He began service with the Coast Artillery in Washington, then took other assignments in Texas, Trinidad, Georgia, London and Europe. Because of his leadership skills and academic abilities, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. While training at Ft. Monroe in 1941 he met Florence Whiting Lee and married her on May 1, 1944. Following the surrender, Carl was part of the US occupation of Germany before completing his service in 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Returning home with his bride he increased the productivity of the ranch by adding acreage, modernizing from horses to tractors, introducing crop irrigation and the production of silage. Because of his fascination with the tone homes he'd seen in Europe, he and Florence started building their own in 1946. It would be many years before their beautiful and unique home was completed.
Carl and Florence raised their three children, were active 4H club leaders and supporters of local school and kid's activities. Carl had a lifelong commitment to education, serving on local school boards and the Educational Service District of WA state for over 50 years. He lobbied the state legislature and the national congress for the educational needs of rural schools, traveling nationwide in support of these causes. In 1997 he received national recognition as the longest serving school board member in the nation and was recognized for this honor by Governor Gary Locke. He served as Ferry County Commissioner for 16 years, and later as Ferry County Sanitarian and Building Inspector.
One of Carl's great pleasures was music. He learned to play his grandfather's violin and as a young man traveled to play for dances. Later he was a founding member of the "Old Time Fiddlers" and played for nearly every Inchelium community event and at the annual Putnam Ranch Family Roundup. When asked once what helped his family get through the Depression, his immediate answer was "music." Carl learned to weave pine needle baskets, to knit and was known for knitting booties for all the family babies. Skilled at carpentry, Carl built his shop, reconstructed the family barn and, of course, built his family home.
Carl remained active in farming into his 90s. He took devoted in care of Florence in her final years. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carl is one of the "Greatest Generation" who because of his life and work left the world a better place than he found it. He was a much loved and respected man who served his family, his community and his country with generosity, honor, integrity, kindness, humor and wisdom.
He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Goldie Putnam, his sister Josephine Putnam Bockler and his wife Florence Lee Putnam. He is survived by his sons, Jim Putnam (Nancy) and Fred Putnam (Tena), of Inchelium and daughter Julia Putnam (Bob Bergman) of Seattle, seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service honoring Carl Putnam will be held on Saturday, December 1st, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Inchelium Community Center. Dinner is to follow. Memorial contributions can be given to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur, Spokane, WA, 99202 and the Colville Tribes Honor Guard at CCT - Vet Resource Program.
No comments:
Post a Comment