Early in life, Earl worked for Seldovia Bay Packing Company on the beach gang and on tenders that brought fish to the canneries. He also served in the U.S. Navy as part of a helicopter anti-submarine squad-ron.
Later in life, Earl worked many years in the construction industry. He worked for other firms and then ran his own company for years. He worked on major road projects around the territory and state, a salmon hatchery in Tutka Bay, the Alaska Blood Bank in Anchorage, a new chairlift at Arctic Valley, site work for numerous homes, as well as many other construction projects across Alaska.
Earl loved the ocean and one of his favorite pastimes was walking the docks of Homer kicking “boat fenders.” Earl also loved farming and championing agriculture in Alaska. He was active in the Northland Pioneer Grange No. 1, Farmers Union and Farm Bureau. He spearheaded the “Ag in the Classroom” program to teach kids about agriculture. He also worked with 4-H and Future Farmers of America students in many capacities including the annual tractor-driving contest.
Earl has been active in local, state and national agriculture politics. He spent countless hours on the phone working to build consensus on farming issues and talked to anyone who would listen about the importance of maintaining a strong agricultural base in Alaska. Earl was active in his local church and was a charter member of Heritage Baptist Church in Wasilla. He enjoyed doing whatever he could for his church and Cornerstone Christian School. Earl also enjoyed restoring old engines and old farm tractors, and took great pleasure in seeing them work out in the field.
Earl was a great husband and father and a blessing to his family. He was often known to say, “attitude makes the difference,” implying that a good attitude could turn most any situation around. He loved to tell stories, and had a way of conveying important messages with them. He will be greatly missed.
Earl is survived by his wife Mary of Palmer; son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Carolyn Clabo of Carrboro, N.C.; grandchildren, Trent, Kayla, Sarah, Jonathan, and James; sister and brother-in-law, Harriet and John Rich of Lynden, Wash.
Earl was preceded in death by his daughter, Annette Clabo, and grandson, Travis Clabo.
In lieu of flowers, donations to benefit 4-H and FFA can be made in Earl’s honor. Checks may be sent to Northland Pioneer Grange No. 1, P.O. Box 2304, Palmer, Alaska.
Earl was born June 22, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minn., to John and Melva Clabo. His childhood was spent on farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Earl and his family moved to Alaska in 1952, crossing the border on his 16th birthday. The family homesteaded 160 acres near Anchor Point, where they carved out a farm from the Alaskan wilderness.
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