AARON LACOX obituary

HOGELAND - World War II veteran Aaron Burton Lacox, 82, of Hogeland died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, surrounded by his family at Northern Montana Care Center.

Visitation will begin at 7 p.m. today at Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Hogeland American Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Wing Cemetery with military honors.

Aaron was born Feb. 16, 1923, in Nodaway, Iowa, and came to Hogeland with his parents in 1929. The family was involved in farming and ranching south of Hogeland. Aaron graduated from Hogeland High School in 1939.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and became a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps 819th Bomb Squadron, where he served as a bomber pilot from 1943 to 1945. He was involved in numerous battles and campaigns, including the Air Offensive Japan, Eastern Mandates and Western Pacific. He was wounded Jan. 17, 1944, at Iwo Jima.

He married Ruth Zellmer on Dec. 26, 1945. They lived south of Hogeland, where they were involved in farming and ranching. Aaron was a devoted family man.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bessie Lacox; brother, Dean; and sister, Floy Cannon.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Ruth (Zellmer) Lacox; daughters, Sandra (Eugene) Beck of Chinook, Dixie (Dennis) Roseleip of Billings and Sylvia (Fred Jr.) Mohar of Turner; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sisters, Florence Snider of Chinook, Hazel Allen of Havre and Beverly Billings of Great Falls.

Memorial donations may be made to Hogeland American Lutheran Church, Hogeland Fire Department or the Hogeland American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook is entrusted with the arrangements.