Eldon James ("Wick") Wicklund, 81, of Ketchum, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 28, 2011, from congestive heart failure.
Born on Aug. 25, 1930, in Oak Park, Ill., Eldon graduated from Oak Park High School and the University of Colorado, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and more importantly, met his wife Carolyn (née Schum), whom he married on Dec. 22, 1953. Eldon enlisted in the U.S. Army, graduated from Artillery OCS and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was a vice president with Smith Barney for 40 years, working first in Milwaukee and then managing the offices in Cleveland, Seattle, and Eugene/Roseburg, Ore.
Always an avid outdoorsman, he patiently and enthusiastically guided numerous people down the ski slopes, through the waters of Puget Sound, and over the rapids of various rivers. Upon retirement in 1992, he and Carolyn built their "mouse-trap" in Sun Valley and enjoyed skiing in the masters' program for years. Eldon was an active member of the American Legion, the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, The Community Library and St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
In addition to his beloved wife of 57 years, he is survived by his children, Karen Lutz (Bill) of Chicago, Ill.; Kristen Bihn (Jeff) of Cleveland, Ohio; Kathryn Erickson of Bellevue, Wash.; Kendall Taylor (David) of Mercer Island, Wash., and Peter Wicklund (Lisa) of Seattle, Wash.; and 16 grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 928, Sun Valley, Idaho 83353
Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel. Friends are invited to leave condolences, share memories and light a candle at www.woodriverchapel.com.
