Baker City, Oregon
Dr. William Franklin “Bill” Karg, 75, of Eagle, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 7, 2004, at his home.
The family had a private service to celebrate his life.
Bill was born on April 18, 1929, at Baker City to Otto and Margaret “Pat” Karg. His father was a former Baker City fire chief.
Bill attended Baker High School and then Pacific University at Forest Grove. He graduated with a degree in optometry on May 25, 1952. During college, he worked for the Forest Service where he was a firefighter.
He married Ruby Lowe at Baker City on Dec. 27, 1950. His parents moved from Baker City to Idaho Falls when his father was named fire chief for the Atomic Regulatory Commission. Bill moved to Idaho Falls to be near his parents when he began his optometry practice.
He married Norma Jean Holley at Idaho Falls on Jan. 19, 1964. He retired from optometry after a 40-year career and he and Norma began to winter in Arizona before settling at Boise.
Hobbies of his earlier years included hunting, tennis and snow skiing. At the age of 50 he climbed Mount Borah. He later enjoyed extensive world travel, golf, walking, bicycling and meetings friends for coffee.
Bill knew no strangers. He had a smile and wave for anyone he passed. He remained the apple of his 96-year-old mother’s eye.
From 1965 to 2004 he was a member of AA and helped establish the Alcoholic Rehabilitation Association at Idaho Falls. He also helped start the Eastern Idaho Mental Health Center and was involved in organizing the CARES group, which coordinated community services to help people with alcohol or drug abuse problems.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jacob Boyle; and his father, Otto Karg.
Survivors include his wife, Norma; his mother, Margaret Karg; five children, Curt Karg, Roxanne Boyle and Karen Radford, all of Idaho Falls, Susan DiGrazia of Boise and Lisa Lassner of Phoenix; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a cousin, Jean Dawson of Washington; and a good friend and “almost brother,” Larry Gilmore of Eagle.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alcoholic Rehabilitation Association (ARA) Center, 163 E. Elva St., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 3, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
