Robert Charles Portrey

Robert Charles Portrey

Robert Charles Portrey was born in Tulsa, Okla., to Winifred Grace and Charles Buford Portrey on April 30, 1925, and passed from this life on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 at 0730 at the Hospice of the VA Medical Center in Spokane, Wash. Graveside services will be held at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, at 1400 on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Chaplain (Colonel) Kenneth L. Alford will be officiating.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Buford Portrey in May 1940; his brother, Ronald Dee Bass in May 1952; his mother, Winifred Grace Portrey Satchwell in September 1970; his sister, Geneva Schomer in September 2016; his first wife, Gwendolyn Cawthorn Portrey in December 1988, and his second wife, Esther May Janke Portrey in June 2017.

He joined the Army on Aug. 7, 1943, and was honorably discharged Feb. 12, 1946. He fought in New Guinea and Luzon and for this enlistment term, he received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Philippines Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He served as a radio operator for the 530th Military Police Battalion.

On Aug. 14, 1948, he married Gwendolyn Cawthorn in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Their marriage lasted 40 years until Gwen died in 1988. They had two children: Gregory C. Portrey and Pamela L. Portrey Miller. On Oct. 30, 1992, he married Esther May Janke who shared 15 years with Robert before passing on June 24, 2017.

Robert graduated from Kinman Business College with a bachelor in accounting and he was a member of the Elks for more than 70 years. He was elected Exalted Ruler in 1994. He owned and ran H&R Block Tax offices in Elko, Nev., and Sandpoint, Idaho. He was honored By H&R Block for 25 years of service.

He is survived by son Gregory Charles Portrey of Usk, Wash.; daughter-in-law, Pamela A Portrey of Newport, Wash.; granddaughter Tiffany R. Portrey of Spokane, Wash.; great-grandson, Robert Charles Portrey II of Usk, Wash., great-granddaughters, Gabreilla Charlene and Alexandra Portrey; daughter, Pamela A Portrey Miller; grandson Nick Portrey of Seattle, Wash.; daughter-in-law, Kala Portrey of Seattle, Wash.; great-granddaughters, Peyton, Brook, Briella Portrey; granddaughter, Michelle Portrey Thomas; grandson Merland Miller; granddaughter, Gwen Miller; Stepchildren: Jim & Nancy Janke of Usk, Wash.; Louise & Dave McWhirk of Newman Lake, Wash.; Dan & Terry Janke of Kalispell, Mont.; Joey Janke Wisconsin of Spokane Valley; Teresa & Bill Zamora of Newport, Wash., and Linda and Mike Graham of Spokane, Wash.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any veterans organization in honor of Robert Charles Portrey.