Obituary of Robert George DeTarville

Robert George DeTarville, age 89, of Lakewood Washington, peacefully passed away on October 11th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on May 25th,1934 to Frank & Josephine DeTarVille in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bob grew up with his brothers and sister (Kenneth, Dale, & Carol) during the height of the great depression. He loved attending movies, hunting, & working hard to assist his single mom keeping the household fed and clothed. After leaving high school, Bob joined the United States Air force and became a radio operator during the Korean war. Bob served in Combat as an airborne radio operator on the C-46 and C-124 aircraft. While serving, he was decorated with the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the active duty Air Force in 1955, Bob worked supporting flight operations with the Air Force as a Civil Service Supervisor at McChord Air Force Base for over 30 years before retiring.

Bob loved to work and play hard! He successfully raised seven children! He Met the love of his life, Juanita Coleman in the mid seventies, they dated for several years and were married June 27th of 1981 at the Lake City Community Church in Lake City Washington. Bob and Juanita were partners and friends in every aspect of their lives together. They started and successfully ran a business, traveled and enjoyed time with their children, Rick, Roxanne, Terry, Brady, Randall, Baron, & Jeff, and their many grand and great grand-children. Bob loved to tinker in his garden and workshop. He was a classic car expert, he enjoyed looking for deals at garage sales, & fishing. His greatest priority was to make sure that Juanita was always taken care of. He was “old school” and so patient, kind, & attentive with each of us. Bob gave everything to his family & Juanita and we are all so very thankful for the time we were able to spend with him and the wonderful memories that we were able to create and share together. 

Bob was predeceased by Frank DeTarVille, Josephine DeTarVille, Kenneth Detarville, Carol DeTarVille and is survived by Juanita DeTarVille, Dale DeTarVille, Rick DeTarVille, Roxanne Olson, Terry Coleman (Tina), Brady Coleman (Tracy), Randall Coleman (Alana), Baron Coleman (Debbie), Jeff Coleman (Karyn), and many grand and great grand-children. 

Services will be held at National Cemetary in Covington Washington at a time and date to be announced. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or K9’s for Veterans.