Obituary of Oscar John Lovrak

Retired U.S. Air Force major and former real estate broker Oscar J. Lovrak went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on June 13, 2011—his 79th birthday. Born June 13, 1932 to Norwegian immigrants, Oscar was raised with his younger brother and sister on a rolling farm in South Tacoma, Washington, currently home to the Tacoma Nature Center at Snake Lake. (His mother had shrewdly purchased just 2 acres, but the family fenced in an additional 30 for their cows and the city never noticed.) For years the Lovraks knew mostly Norwegian friends and neighbors, compelling Oscar’s first grade teacher to send a note home to his bewildered parents pleading, “Can’t someone please teach Oscar English?!” Fortunately a quick study, he later delivered the Tacoma News Tribune during World War II and worked on the peanut butter assembly line at the Adams Company. After attending a Seattle Billy Graham Crusade at the age of 19, Oscar gave his heart to Jesus and never looked back. His quiet view on life would remain simple: Honor the Lord, cherish your family, and keep a tidy workshop. Oscar’s boyhood flight in a 1938 Stinson Reliant, coupled with his passion for building model planes, fueled his dream to pilot military aircraft. The U.S. Air Force was still in its infancy when Oscar enlisted in 1953, and he flourished during the ensuing golden age at the controls of many fighter jets, including the legendary F-100 and F-101. His keen nose for accident investigation preceded him everywhere. Oscar’s missions included assignments all over the U.S., Western Europe, North Africa, Korea, and Vietnam. His wife since 1956, Donna had a well-worn copy of The Air Force Wife, but was woefully delinquent in the French language and ballroom dance lessons desired of well-behaved, ‘50s-era officers’ wives. She much preferred fishing and travel, and Oscar did, too. Despite their cultural shortcomings, the couple raised two fine children, David and Laurie, both of whom loved the nomadic military lifestyle, especially the wealth of new friends and memories they made around the globe. Eager once again to enjoy Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and roasted corn at the Puyallup Fair, Oscar moved the family back to Tacoma upon retiring from the Air Force in 1973. There he embarked upon a new, 25-year career, this time in real estate. In 1998 he retired for good to his tidy workshop to build radio-controlled model airplanes—the largest, a 1938 Stinson Reliant replica. When he wasn’t up to his ears in balsa wood and epoxy, he and Donna enjoyed road trips throughout the North Cascades and Alaska. Before falling ill, Oscar was also active in his beloved church of 35 years, First Assembly of God Life Center. In addition to his wife of 55 years (Donna) and children (David and Laurie), Oscar is survived by a grandson (Jared Lovrak) and a sister (Judy Bentley of Spokane). He was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Greg and Anna Lovrak, and his younger brother, Glenn. No service is planned, but our tribute to Oscar’s life and legacy is available by contacting Donna Lovrak. For those wishing to honor his memory, the family suggests donations to the Tacoma Rescue Mission, one of Oscar’s favorite ministries. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center (253)566-1008