Garold George Assmus

Garold was born November 2nd, 1944 to George and Marie (Kluthe) Assmus at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Raised on the family farm in Aurora County, South Dakota, he attended a one room country grade school and later graduated from Stickney High School in 1962.

In the Fall of 1962 he visited relatives in Oregon and deciding to stay and took a job with the Tidewater Oil Company in Forest Grove. He received his draft notice in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. After Basic training he attended the Air Force Police Academy at Lackland, Air Force Base in Texas. His first assignment was Beale AFB in California where he worked flight line security and base police. While working flight line security he had the opportunity to guard the first SR-71 to become operational out of Beale AFB. In 1967 he was recruited to Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offut AFB in Omaha, Nebraska. Having been assigned to the elite SAC Guard, he was tasked with the protection of the Headquarters Facilities and the Battle Staff. Ancillary ceremonial duties were performed including providing honor guards for military funerals being held in the region.

After being discharged from the Air Force he returned to Oregon where he would become employed by the Oregon State Police. He started as a trooper, patrolling Southern Oregon for several years, later entering the Criminal Division as a Detective. Through promotions and transfers he served in a number of locations and capacities including assignments to task forces with the FBI and DEA. While assigned to State Police Headquarters he served an assignment to the State Legislature, advising the lawmakers on firearms laws. After retirement in 1995 from active duty, he was called back to work part time for another 13 years assisting with enforcement programs at Oregon State University, Oregon State Parks, and the State Police Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

He married Karen Herb of Forest Grove and had four children. After divorcing in 1983, he married Karen Mckinney of Butte Falls, Oregon in 1985.

He was a lifetime member of the SAC Elite Guard Association, along with being a member of the American Legion, The Elks, Eagles, and a charter member of the Grants Pass Moose. He also served twenty years as a member of the local Selective Service Board.

During retirement, he and Karen traveled much of the country, going Coast to Coast and into both Canada and Mexico in their RV.

He is survived by his children Susan, Keith, and Brian; his wife and guardian angel Karen; Brothers Roland of Stickney SD, Vincent (Shirley) of Plankinton, SD, Alan (Connie) of White Lake, SD, and Steven of Los Animas, CO; and Sister Jane Eimers (Tom) of Chamberlain, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Son Mark, and Brother Phillip.

Services will be held at Eagle Point National Cemetery.