Cecil L. 'Luke' Aldrich

Cecil L. “Luke” Aldrich passed away on June 12, 2010, at Clearwater Health & Rehabilitation in Orofino, Idaho.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at the Orofino City Park on Thursday, June 17, at 10 a.m.

He was born Jan. 8, 1929 in Plentywood, Mont., to Minnie and Arthur Aldrich. Luke grew up in the small town of Kootenai outside Sand-point, Idaho. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1948.

Luke had three half-brothers and three half-sisters, all of them older and out of the household as he grew up.

He joined the Air Force in 1950 and was based in Florida and England during the Korean War

He married his high school sweetheart, Doris Jean Woodard, in the Kootenai Church on June 9 ,1951

When he was discharged from the Air Force, he entered the University of Idaho. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in wildlife management In 1959.

After graduation, he worked for the Idaho Forestry Department, now the Idaho Department of Lands, retiring there as area supervisor for the Clearwater Area in 1989.

Luke is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean; his daughter, Darcy Pederson and husband Ray of Grangeville, Idaho; sons, Alan and wife Donna of Gillette, Wyo., and Luke and wife Tracie of La Grande, Ore.; and his wonderful grandchildren, Debbie, Amy, Lisa, Eyler and Katie.

Luke was an avid outdoorsman with an uncanny woods sense. He shared his love of the outdoors with his family and friends. At work and at play, he respected the natural world around him and looked for a way to make things better

Pine Hills Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in care of arrangements.