Walter “Jake” L. Ehrlich

Walter “Jake” L. Ehrlich was born May 29, 1934, and died Sept. 16, 2012, of a long term illness, with his family around him. Jake, as he was known, was born in Russell, Kans., to Wava and Arthur Ehrlich. He was one of five children. He graduated from Neosho High School in Neosho, Mo. He met and married Nancy Robinson on Dec. 9, 1962. In 1963 they moved to San Mateo, Calif., where he attended college. Jake and Nancy moved to El Dorado County in 1969 to raise their two sons in a country setting.

Jake spent 30 years in the Marine Corps, retiring in 1983 as a Sergeant Major E-9.In 1982 he was El Dorado County Marine of the Year. He worked 33 years with AT&T, retiring in 1993. After retirement he and Nancy traveled to many countries and much of the USA.

Jake was active in many organizations: Fleet Reserve Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Subic Bay Marines, Korean War Veterans, served as an advocate for veterans with ESGR, American Legion, and he helped set up the Marine Corp League, The Masonic Order, Scottish Rite, Legion of Honor, Ben Ali Shriners, The El Dorado Shrine Club, Widdle Wheels, The Rod and Gun Club, Plinc, National Rifle Association, he was Exalted Ruler of the Placerville Elks Lodge, Telephone Pioneers, SIRs, Hangtown A’s, Sparkin A’s, and was a licensed Real Estate Agent.

Jake loved the local sports programs and for many years he sponsored the Parks and Recreation teams as well as Special Olympics. He was an avid supporter of Toys for Tots. His passion and hobby was cars, new and old, which led him on many adventrues. He was the driver for Hangtown A’s Huff and Puff Model A Bus.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy; and two sons, Wade and his wife Julie Ehrlich of Placerville, Calif., and Warren and his wife Emma Ehrlich of San Diego, Calif. Jake was lovingly referred to as “Papo” by his seven grandchildren, Chad and his wife Tiffany Ehrlich of El Dorado, Calif., Chelsea Ehrlich of Placerville, Calif., Cheliss Ehrlich of Corvallis, Ore., Chaunicie and Chayden Ehrlich of Placerville, Calif., and Zachary and Ethan Ehrlich of San Diego, Calif.; and one great-granddaughter, Mali Ehrlich of El Dorado, Calif. He is also survived by brothers, Lylburn and Lorece Ehrlich of Salina, Kans., Richard Ehrlich of Brookfield, Fla., and Kenneth and Susie Ehrlich of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Lorene and Bob Meyer of Arvada, Colo.; aunt, Bernice Burroughs in Stockton, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Jenny Crane and Janice and her husband, Bob Graves of Yukon, Okla.; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial will be held at the American Legion on Greenstone Road on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road in Dixon, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. Remembrances should be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospices.