Edward Arthur Tolford

Ed (Tiny, as he was affectionally called) was born November 7, 1929 in Cosmopolis, Washington. The Pacific NW coast, especially Long Beach with extended family there, always held a special place in his heart. During his school years he moved to Seattle with his parents, Harold J. and Arleen M. Tolford and his brother, Harold Jr.

He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947. In his youth, Ed enjoyed flying model airplanes and later, APBA outboard boat racing with his brother, Hal. They were very active in the sport and it became a big part of their lives. You could always find his folks, Mom and Pop Tolford and the entire family in the pits on race day. He proudly served his country as a US Navy Sailor, Reservist and Veteran.

At age 21 he met the love of his life, Loreen Bircher at the local ice cream parlor. She was a 16-year-old beauty from Southern California on summer vacation with her family. They wrote for two years during his military service and were married just after Loreen's high school graduation on July 18,1952. The couple was blessed with 65 wonderful years of marriage.

Together they raised their two daughters-

Jenice, son in law Dwight Knechtel, grandsons Jeff and Joel

and Jeanna, son in law Dave Clausen, granddaughter, Alisa (Dylan) Herrick, great grandson Kalan, and grandson, John Clausen (Megan).

He loved his girls and their families dearly and always kept them in the center of his life.

Ed built a very successful career in life insurance, achieving a Chartered Life Underwriter’s Degree and was also a Chartered Financial Consultant. He retired as Brokerage Manager for Transamerica Occidental Life, Seattle, WA. He also served as Grand Master of his Masonic Lodge. Ed and Loreen enjoyed traveling the world with their lifelong friends. They also loved snow-birding with their pampered pups, heading south every year in their motor coach making lasting friendships along the way. Eventually, they purchased a beautiful second home near Palm Springs. The last 10 years of his life he kept active with their retirement community in Redmond, WA and could usually be found out visiting, chairing a committee or tending their beautiful patio garden.

Ed loved his family, cherished his friends and was blessed with a long, full life. He passed away peacefully on October 14, 2017 with his beloved Loreen and family at his side.

He will remain forever in our hearts