Carl Fredrick Comnick

June 21, 1914 - April 13, 2014

Obituary

Carl Fredrick Comnick was born June 21, 1914 on a dry land homestead just above  Rockland, Idaho. He passed from this life to his eternal reward on April 13, 2014.

 

At age 15 he began working at an apple dehydrator plant and later with bees. That’s when he began writing down his expenditures, which he did all his life.

 

In January of 1933, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corp where he was building a road up the Salmon River. He also learned how to set dynamite. When he got out he bought a 1930 Model A Ford Roadster for three hundred dollars.

 

July 4, 1936 Carl married Lulu Belle Farley in Caldwell, Idaho. Also in 1936, he was taking courses from American School. They sent him a diary, so he started keeping it, and kept one every year until June 9, 2001, the day Lu, his wife of almost 65 years died. He marked the page in black.

 

In 1942 they moved to Seattle and bought a house for two thousand dollars with payments of thirty-five dollars a month. Carl got a job operating a crane at Isaacson Iron Works. In 1949 he saw an ad in the paper for a civil service examination for bridge tender for the city of Seattle. He passed and was hired. In the fall of 1957, after passing another examination he was appointed foreman, and in 1968 was appointed supervisor of bridges and subways in the city of Seattle. He held this position until he retired September 1979.

 

Music was always part of his life. As a young boy, Carl notched holes in a piece of wood and made a flute which he played. At fourteen his Dad bought him a C saxophone on which he had six lessons, and later, a trumpet which he played in church all his life till he was 90. He also played the piano by ear. When he wrote down all of the songs he could play by ear there were over 1000. He owned a Steinway piano and a full organ. Later, he got a digital piano which he thoroughly enjoyed.

 

Carl loved to travel visiting all fifty states, Europe (helped his wife kiss the Blarney Stone), Central America, South America, went through the Panama Canal, Canada, Yukon, the east wall of China, and Israel. They went on several cruises. He had a goal of visiting every national park in America, which they did. He was a charter member of the Seattle Opal Club. They cut stones, made jewelry and were in many opal shows. One year he even worked on the Bardahl hydroplane. He was a lifetime member of the American Rifle Association. He was active in the Boy Scouts with his son.

 

Preceding Carl in death are his wife (Lu), five sisters and four brothers.

 

Carl is survived by three children, Jean Guge (Wayne) of Ocean Shores, Duane Comnick (Carol) of Puyallup, Vicki Williams of Anchorage, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 

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Phillip Sabado
Phillip Sabado
4 years ago

You were a good neighbor and good friend to our family.

Paul Sabado
Paul Sabado
4 years ago

Carl showed kindness to my father teaching my father ( an Asia Pacific islander with 11 mouthed to feed) how to do many home repairs and care for our fruit trees. Thank you for the knowledge you willingly shared.

Ron Sabado
Ron Sabado
4 years ago

Carl was a gentle man who cared about his family and neighbors. He was always kind to my father and mother and all nine of us rowdy kids. If he thought we needed a stern talking to he would. And if he thought we needed a word of encouragement he would. Thanks, Carl.

Gene & Marcia Mehr
Gene & Marcia Mehr
4 years ago

Great Grandpa was a very kind man. He loved listening to our daughter play her fiddle. He helped her pay for her fiddle lessons and he got so much happiness out of listening to her play. Thank you so much Grandpa, we will miss you a lot.

June Ollero
June Ollero
4 years ago

Carl brought joy to my Father. I can remember my Dad sharing with me the conversations and the help with repairs he received from Carl. Dad had a great deal of respect for him, smiling as he shared with me. Thank You Carl for your kindness and love, for what is love but giving of yourself. Carl did that for my Father and family.

Sorry I will miss the service and celebration of life, but I will be thinking of you Jeanie, Duane, and Vicki. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

June Ollero
June Ollero
4 years ago

Carl brought joy to my Father. I can remember my Dad sharing with me the conversations and the help with repairs he received from Carl. Dad had a great deal of respect for him, smiling as he shared with me. Thank You Carl for your kindness and love, for what is love but giving of yourself. Carl did that for my Father and family.

Sorry I will miss the service and celebration of life, but I will be thinking of you Jeanie, Duane, and Vicki. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

NANCY JONES SOUZA-ELLIS
NANCY JONES SOUZA-ELLIS
4 years ago

Goodbye to one of my favorite uncles. We always enjoyed your visits to California and news of your many travels. My mother always saved up work for her brother to do when you and Aunt Lu visited us each year, and you never complained. You were always the gracious host and hostess when we visited Seattle, as well as Uncle Clarence and Aunt Lillian. I have only fond memories. Love from all the nieces/nephews here. “Til we meet again……………..