Harry Donald Woolum

1928 - 2015

Harry Donald Woolum
1928 ~ 2015
A question was posed online recently. Can you sum up a person's life in six words? Always striving to bring people joy. Those words sum up the life and legacy of Harry D. Woolum.
Our Dad was born on May 8, 1928 in Wallace, Idaho. He spent the majority of his childhood in Kellogg, Idaho with his three siblings, Bill, Ruth, and Ray. Sadly his older brother Bill was killed in World War II. The war ended on May 7, 1945. The very next day on his birthday, May 8th, he enlisted into the Army Air Corp where he served as an aerial photographer. After his discharge in 1947 he returned home to rejoin his family. To pursue the trade he had learned in the Army he and his Mother moved to Spokane, Washington where he became employed at the Spokesman Review Newspaper as a photo engraver. It was there that he eventually met the love of his life, Phyllis Driscoll, who was employed in the same building as an elevator operator. They were later married on September 9, 1950. Together they raised four children, Kathy, David, Kevin and Walter.
In 1959 he moved his family to Boise, Idaho where he became employed at Idaho Artcraft Engraving Company. In 1981 he left Idaho Artcraft Engraving to accept a position in the Photo Engraving department at The Idaho Statesman, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. In an effort to provide a better life for his family he began a second full time job at the Cosmopolitan Bowling Center, where he worked for seven years.
He attributed his Christian faith, the love and support from his wife, and the help of numerous friends in helping him battle the demons of his youth. On May 5th he celebrated 58 years of sobriety. It was through this support that he became instrumental in helping countless others battling the same demons he did. He became a volunteer at the Veteran's Administration Hospital where he not only counseled but sponsored numerous others in need of the same help he had received.
One of the many things we've always admired about our Dad was his love for children. As far back as any of us can remember children flocked around him wherever he was. They knew instantly, regardless of how old they were, that he was a fun loving man they could feel comfortable around. His love was especially shown to all of his 17 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Stories include being pulled around the block in a Red Flyer wagon, walks to a neighborhood market for candy of their choice, putting his special twist on children's stories, such as Goldielocks riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle, to the numerous slumber parties at his house where he would cook their favorite foods, and then let the girls in the family put his hair up in curlers.
Throughout Dad's life and up to the very end he took great joy in making people laugh. He was a master of reading people's moods and being able to deliver the perfect one-liner that would bring a smile to their faces. To Dad no one was a stranger, and he could strike up a conversation with anyone, and make them feel happy he did.
After our Mom passed in 2004, he became a well known resident at Garden Plaza at Valley View, where his charming and outgoing talents earned him the title, "Honorary Mayor of Valley View", which he cherished.
Our Dad left behind trails of smiles, one-liners and anecdotes wherever he went. His legacy of joy is spread far and wide.
He was preceded in death by our Mom, Phyllis, the love of his life for 53 years, and our Brother Walt. He is survived by his sons, David and wife Lynn of Renton, Washington; Kevin and his wife Julie of Boise; together with 17 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Friday, June 5, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Summers Funeral Home, 1205 W. Bannock St. in Boise. Services will be held Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on the corner of Orchard and Cassia streets in Boise, followed by a short service at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous or a charity of your choice.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Donald's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.