Clinton Edward Reno, 81

Clinton Edward Reno, 81, passed away at his home on May 24, 2007

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 1, 2007 at 10 a.m. at the Crossroads Chapel in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The service will be followed by a Military Honors Ceremony on "the knoll near Reno Ridge," ending with a potluck dinner at the Curley Creek Community Hall.

Clinton was born on May 15, 1926 to Charles Albert and Della Mae Reno in Snyder, CO in the back of the Post Office where his mother was Post Mistress. Clint was the 3rd of 6 kids; Lorraine, Kenneth (deceased), Darlene (died in infancy), Alberta and Roberta.

Clint is survived by his loving wife, of 58 years, Claudia. His daughter Connie Thompson, her husband Ken Thompson, their son Matthew Thompson along with wife Janna, their daughter Cadance Thompson and great grand daughter Julia were all deeply loved and would always bring a sparkle to his eye and a smile to his face. Clint will also be deeply missed by his son Clark Reno, grand-daughter and husband Karyl and Dan Pickard, great-grandson Payton and grandson Charles Reno.

Clint began his working life early on by helping his family struggle on the family farm through the dust bowl and depression days. Unrelenting bad weather and failed crops led the family to move to San Miguel, Calif., (via Almota, Wash.) to take over a mail route. Clint picked fruit for a nickel a gunny sack plus cut and hauled firewood for spending money while attending the 7th grade.

A year later they moved to the Big Bend /Snake River country in Eastern Oregon where they purchased a 160 acre farm. Clint and the other kids attended school in Adrian, Ore. Clint's time was spent working on the family farm with wild horses that had been caught in the nearby Owyhee Hills or working on neighbors farms topping beets or putting up hay for money that helped the family and sometimes could even be used for spending money.

Clint was just 17 and WW II was going strong when he joined the service in 1944. He joined the Navy immediately after graduation and after training at Farragut was assigned to duty on the USS Wilson, DD 408, a Benham class destroyer stationed in the Pacific theatre. Clint was a gunner's mate involved in numerous epic battles including Okinawa and the liberation of the Philippines. At one point, Clint's battle group was under attack from kamikazes over a 3 month period which included a continuous running battle lasting 42 days, which is still the longest single engagement involving U.S. Servicemen. He completed his enlistment as a Shore Patrolman on the Japanese mainland.

Clint was discharged in December 1947. He was not able to find steady employment right away. He helped on the farm in any capacity needed. He also did any other farm work he could for extra pay. He worked topping sugar beets and made his Dad proud that he out topped the "Champs of the Boise Valley" who had gloated. Clint bought an old truck so he could haul sugar beets and work in the hop fields.

Late in 1948 a real career opportunity came along. On the job career training offered by the G.I. Bill paid for tools and a portion of his wages and as he learned the telephone business. His boss was pleased with his work as he was the only man capable of digging the hole and then manually setting a telephone pole and then string the lines. While he was at the independent phone company based in Parma, Idaho; he built over 20 miles of phone line providing the first ever phone service for many farms in southern Idaho.

Late in February, 1949 he and a friend double dated Claudia Fickle and her sister. Clint and Claudia had a whirlwind courtship and were married on May 19, 1949.

A son Clark, was born October, 1950.

Clint realized if he wanted to advance in his career he needed to move to a larger company. He moved his family to Coeur d'Alene and he went to work for First Interstate, which later became General Telephone Company and is now Verizon.

He began working on a large crew that was "cutting" old operated assisted call service over to the new fangled dial-up service. Much of the time he spent all week on the road only coming home on the week-end. Clint's crew replaced all the poles and line from Coeur d lane past Bonners Ferry "cutting" in the new service. He was always a steady, conscientious worker.

A daughter, Connie, was born November, 1952.

He did many jobs learning the trade and was told by his managers that he produced the work of 2 men. He became the area manager of the Pullman/Moscow exchange in early 1966.

While in Coeur d'Alene he decided to purchase property rather than "paying for a dead horse" by renting. He moved his family from Coeur d'Alene to Hayden to Richland, Wash., to Libby, Mont., then to Pullman, Wash., buying and upgrading property with each move.

He always put his family first. Evenings, week-ends and vacations were spent with his loved ones.

As the children were about to leave home, he began planning for retirement. After much prayer he and Claudia purchased the Mountain near Moyie Springs. For a little more that 10 years he and Claudia commuted from Pullman to the mountain in preparation of their retirement in May, 1981. He found a wonderful neighborhood, a good Church, many friends and a lot of hard work.

Clint was so happy clearing the land. He has cut, split and hauled wood to heat their home for 27 years. He prepared their large garden area with pick axe, rock bar and rock fork to remove enough rocks the ground could be tilled. A beautiful garden each year has been the reward.

Clint has enjoyed picking huckleberries, hunting deer and has spent many hours wood carving during the winter months.

Clint and Claudia have been able to travel beyond anything that they had imagined. The crew of the USS Wilson has had numerous reunions that have allowed them to visit throughout the United States while renewing and maintaining their relationships with brother's in arms.

Clint led the adult Bible study class at Crossroads Chapel for many years. He always felt that he was learning more of God's Word than he was teaching.

His family, his Lord, his Mountain, his word and his work ethic exemplified him, but those who knew him knew he always did it all with grace, humor and a smile on his face.

The entire family would like to offer appreciation and thanks to all their friends in the Curley Creek Community, Crossroads Chapel, their pinochle club, Bonners Ferry, Moyie Springs and Troy who have offered love, prayers and assistance during this trying time.