Obituary: Barcklay, Emil Leroy
Their love endured 63 years and continues into eternity.
They were long time residents of Spokane and Newport.
They were loved and respected deeply by their family and friends.
Doris was born and raised in Tacoma while Emil was born and raised in Pend Oreille County.
Emil joined the Army in 1943, serving as a forward observer/reconnaissance pilot in the European Theater with the 212th AFT and the 6th Armored Division landing in France a few days after D-Day, flying combat sorties to EV-Day at the Russian Border.
Lt. Barcklay earned the Silver Star and the Bronze Air Medal with 9 oak leaf clusters and had many stories to tell.
He also served in the Korean War at Ft. Bliss Texas teaching artillery directional fire.
He was a true war hero who remained in the Army Reserve Combat Engineering Battalion in Spokane, mustering out as a Major.
After the war, Emil met and married Doris Muth of Tacoma and moved to Spokane where he graduated from Gonzaga with a degree in engineering in 1948.
Doris earned a teaching degree from EWSU in 1959 and later a Masters Degree in Education from Gonzaga.
The ensuing years he worked as a civil engineer for the city of Spokane, Spokane County, several large engineering companies and eventually moving to Newport WA to become Pend Orielle County Engineer.
Doris taught at Progress Elementary in Spokane Valley and Sadie Halsted Elementary in Newport.
She was active in WEA.
They enjoyed the outdoor life and travel with their family.
Our loving Doris and Emil were rare people of courage and integrity.
They earned our respect and love.
Doris and Emil were our rocks.
They are loved and missed by son and daughter, Rod and Karen; as well as grandchildren, Joshua, Kimberly, Matthew and Andrew; and six great-grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends including Doris’ sister, Marlene and her spouse, Julio Denys; and brother, Richard Muth.
At their request there will be no services but we will have an open house on Wednesday May 14, from 2:00 to 6:00p.m.
at the home of Karen Barcklay.
Any Memorials may be sent to the Spokane Humane Society or a Charity of your choice.