Obituary of Carl James Partlow

Carl Partlow passed peacefully on February 11, 2024, at age 91. He was born in El Segundo, CA on January 1, 1933, to Glenn Laverne Partlow (Grants Pass OR,1900) and Rose Vashti King Partlow (Iowa, 1897). Carl had two siblings Glenna June Partlow Gleason Kamp (1924) and Jack King Partlow (1926).
 

Carl grew up in El Segundo and attended the local grammar school and graduated from El Segundo high school in 1951. He married Mardell (Chadbourne) when he was 18 just out of high school. Three years later they welcomed their only son, James Partlow, May 1955--Joy. His marriage to Mardell ended in divorce in 1958.  He later married Norma Hodson Dove in June 1965 and received four “bonus children” – Stephen Michael Dove (1952) --Karen, Denice Dove Davis (1953) --Bobby, Kenneth Allen Dove (1954) --Diana and Daniel Joseph Dove (1955) --Carol.

Carl worked many jobs in those early years including Standard Oil in El Segundo, a grocery store, bowling alley, plasterer. His first car was a 1937 Ford Coupe. He got his junior license when he was just 14 years old. He loved growing up in El Segundo.

 

Carl’s passion for police work found a home at the Inglewood Police Department in April of 1955. Shortly after starting, he attended the Sherriff’s Academy in Riverside where he placed #1 in his class with the second highest score to come out of the school. While working for Inglewood PD he attended El Camino Jr. College, receiving his AA degree in Peace Officer studies.  Carl took the Sergeants examine during this time and placed #1. He often smiled while retelling the difference between his grades in high school and his police officer training results. While working for the police department he also worked as a reservist in the United States Navy where he spent 12 years. In March 1963 he left the Inglewood Police Department to work with the California Highway Patrol where he attended their academy for four months. Again, he graduated #1 in his class. He attributes his ability to recall and take tests to a great class he took in speed reading which emphasized material retention. It obviously worked! In 1.5 years, he was assigned to motorcycle duty. Sadly, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a back injury (1964) which forced him to retire from the CHP on disability in 1968 while living in Northern California.  He made many lifelong friends in law enforcement (Jim Moore) and while he spent his last days in the Treasure Valley of Idaho, he rarely missed the CHP Retiree’s luncheon at Mariachi Loco in Star, ID. In fact, he ran into someone who went to the CHP academy the same time he did while there. Small world!

 

Carl and his wife, Norma, decided after his successful back surgery to take a year off in 1970/71 and travel the United States in a motorhome. This was done when they were in their early forties making them the “young ones” in most of the RV parks they stayed in during their journey. They enjoyed seeing several states in America making friends along the way.

 

Most of their lives they spent on Pocket Road in Sacramento after that sojourn around the US. After returning, Norma shortly secured fulltime work at the State Legislature and Carl was hired in sales with Reynolds and Reynolds but after a couple of years he was brought on in the Sergeant of Arms office finishing his career there as second in command. He also held the position of Security and Chamber Supervisor (for the Legislature).

 

For a brief time, they purchased a home in Sagle ID on Gold Coin Lane where they did more home renovations than fishing according to Carl. They sold that home and moved back to Pocket Road in Sacramento.

 

Carl and Norma traveled globally visiting numerous countries. By land, sea, and air. Their daughter, Denice, called them in April 1978 and told them they were officially airline parents both at Western Airlines and later Delta Air Lines. They were excellent at knowing how to successfully “standby” for their next adventure!

 

In addition to being an avid angler, and hunter, Carl had a passion for abalone diving at Ft. Bragg, CA. The whole family would meet up, suit up, fry up, and eat up the abalone that was taken in that day. We all remember him teaching us how to don our wetsuits and to get used to the freezing cold-water using a little tide pool that was deep enough to swim in and avoid the sea urchins. Those were fun family outings.

 

Carl moved from Sacramento to Eagle ID, in July 2019 near his daughter and son-in-law, but later after six months of being “locked up” due to the Covid epidemic, he moved up to Sagle ID near his son Steve, and his partner, Karen. He was often found with his sweet love “Fratzi” (mini pin) in his lap who brought tremendous joy into his life. Carl would spend the days looking out at the lake, reading, playing cards with his other son, Dan, and daughter-in-law Carol, and enjoy Karen and Steve’s cooking. After three years of being a “snowbird” which took him (along with his chauffer son-in-law, Bobby) from Northern Idaho down to Southern Arizona and back, he decided to “land the plane” in Meridian, ID starting in July 2023. He lived in a nice apartment at Grace Assisted Living until he passed away on February 11, 2024. He had several health issues over the years, but his mind was always sharp. He loved playing cards, reading western novels, and got the hang of voice recognition technology with YouTube premium. He was often engaged in watching fly fishing in the Idaho and Montana lakes/rivers. His tablemates Ken, Myron and Mary always kept the conversation going during mealtimes.  He loved the staff at Grace Assisted as they were especially kind to him.

 

The most important part of this obituary is that Carl, quickened by the Holy Spirit, asked to begin reading the bible with his daughter, Denice, every morning from 6:30am-7:00am starting on January 9, 2023 up until 2 days before he passed away.  He had a fervent desire to know God and Jesus as his savior and made one of the most beautiful confessions of faith heard by his daughter and son-in-law at 505am on December 9, 2023. From that day on, he was father and “brother-in-Christ.”  He attended Compass Bible Church as faithfully as his health would allow often coming over to the Davis home for “Divine Dine and Dash with Dad.”  These were meals put together by his daughter and son-in-law with the intent that he would meet people from church. Everyone started to recognize him and say hi as he entered or left the church on Sundays. Pastor Ben Blakey was there for him the day before he passed away giving him assurance of his salvation through God’s Word-Hebrews 7:25.  He was in hospice care for a short 2.5 days making and receiving calls from people he loved to say a final goodbye.  Carl went home to be with the Lord in His Kingdom at 8:13am on February 11, 2024.

 

Carl’s son Jim predeceased him leaving him with three beautiful grandchildren, Bryan Partlow, Danielle Partlow Gunderson, and Jaqueline Partlow. He received several “bonus grandchildren” from his wife, Norma, who predeceased him on November 25, 2011 in Elk Grove, CA - Leslie Dove Barnes, Stephen Dove, Alexander Gigoux, Crystal Dove Oeder, Jason Elias, Justin Dove, Amy Dove, Sara Dove, and Kenny Dove Jr.

 

He has several great-grandchildren – Derek, Owen and Roz Gunderson, Gage and Brooklyn Partlow, George and Mary Barnes, Kenneth Dove III, Brielynn Dove, Nathaia Pedigo, Jax Pedigo, Miarah Carter, Michael Silver, Nolan Fraser, William Fraser, Jacob Oeder, Isaac, and Luke Elias.

 

A casual Celebration of Life will be held at the Davis’ home at 2100 N World Cup Way, Eagle, ID 83616 on Saturday, April 6 from 10am-2pm with words from Pastor Ben at 12n. Burgers and tater tots (Dad’s go-to casual meal) will be served along with his favorite chocolate chip cookies and a few sides. We would love to see you!

 

In lieu of flowers donations are requested to Taking Ground.