Obituaries: Albert Deines (May 3, 1919 – Aug. 15, 2011)

Albert Deines passed away  August 15, 2011, following a long and meaningful life. He was 92.

Albert was born May 3, 1919, in Fort Collins, Colo., the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Deines. Albert was raised in the Fort Collins area, but later moved to Flint, Mich., where he lived with his mother and sisters until he enlisted in the Army Air Corp, which would turn out to be his life career.

Albert met his future wife, Mavis Salisbury, on a blind date in North Dakota while on his way to a deployment. Following a seven-day whirlwind romance they were married Jan. 23, 1943, in Macon, Ga. Albert’s career in the military started out as a “buck private” in the Army Air Corp and ended when he retired in 1968 as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Air Force. His military career took him on tours of duty in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War Two, Korea during the Korean War, Illinois, Washington State, New York and California. After his retirement from active military he worked for the Civil Service at Travis Air Force Base in California and the Public Health Service in Tanana, Alaska, until he fully retired in Vacaville, Calif. After many years in Vacaville, Albert and Mavis felt the calling of the road and lived in Brookings, Ore., and Seattle, before finally settling in Crescent City.

Albert was a dedicated husband and father who devoted his life to his family and his military career. Albert loved his electronics from his association with Ham Radio Operators and his early adoption of what he saw as the wave of the future, the computer. Albert was a member of the Lutheran Church and made sure that his children had a religious foundation and a strong work ethic.

Survivors include daughter, Lori LaBello of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sons Allen Deines of Crescent City, and David Deines of Redmond, Wash., one sister Mary Jane Mooney of Prudenville, Mich., son-in-law Anthony LaBello of Jacksonville, Fla., three grandchildren, Vance and Anthony Labello of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mark LaBello of Seymour, Tenn., and two great-grandchildren, Kimberley and Christopher LaBello, granddaughters-in-law Patti Labello and Kelly Labello.

He was preceded in death by his sister Johanna Murphy of Phoenix.

Albert will be interred in the Tahoma Veterans National Cemetery, Washington state, with his lifelong love and wife Mavis on Tuesday, August 23, at 2:15 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel of Crescent City.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel