Carl Leroy Hissman

Beloved husband, father, grandparent and friend to many, Carl Leroy Hissman passed away peacefully at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver Washington on August 17, 2023. The family will hold private services. Carl was born March 21, 1929, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Carl Earnest Hissman and Hilda Independence (Bradley) Hissman. Carl went to Manitou Springs High School and later earned a GED. Carl worked for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs and later at the local movie theater where he met his lifelong love and companion of 73 years, Lola James. Carl and Lola were avid roller skaters and not only taught but managed the Manitous Springs roller rink. Together they won several medals during their skating career which started in Colorado and ended in Samoa California. In 1949 he enlisted in the US Army and attended basic training and leadership school at Fort Ord. He was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment, Company I. In October 1950 he went to Camp Chickamauga in Korea, via Hawaii and Japan, where he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Regiment "Cottonbalers" (heavy mortar company) as Seargent Squad Leader. He left Korea in early 1952, where upon arriving home first set eyes on his daughter Carolyn who was born while serving overseas. After returning stateside, he attended the Mountain and Cold Weather Training Command at Camp Carson in Colorado. Carl was a mountain climber and loved taking people out climbing and teaching them to tie various knots. In 1954, Carl moved his family to Samoa California, where he worked at the Georgia Pacific Lumber Mill, learning carpentry finishing skills and leadership skills. Heavily involved in the outdoors from the beginning, Carl served as Scoutmaster also. In 1963 another move to San Jose, California brought more opportunities as he was employed as a field supervisor, working on such projects as Shriners Hospital San Francisco, Burlingame City Hall, multiple high rise construction projects, but one of his favorites was Marine World in Belmont. In his free time Carl was working on his model railroad, or building furniture, bird houses, airplanes etc. Other times were spent in the outdoors with family, whether waterskiing, camping and hiking or just traveling to locations around the country. After his retirement he and Lola moved to Vancouver Washington in 1994. In his retirement one of his greatest pleasures was serving as editor of the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 321's local newsletter. In 2013 Carl was honored to be one of two Washington State Korean War Veteran's invited (with their wives) by the Korean Veterans Association and Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs through The Sae Eden Presbyterian Church and GyeongGi-DO to travel to Korea to participate in the 60th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice. Traveling back to Korea was very emotional and satisfying. In October 2016 Carl was honored to be invited on a Washington State Honor Flight to Washington DC with other WWII and Korean war veterans. Carl is survived by his loving wife Lola, sister Anita (Hissman) Osborn, daughters Carolyn (Hissman) Ackerman, Lynn Hissman, son in law Edward Ackerman, and grandchildren Dr. Michelle (Ackerman) Plumb, husband Ray Plumb, Jessica Ackerman and partner Jerome Walker, Jason Monroy and partner Laura Gault, Brandon and Victoria (Hart) Monroy, Daniel Monroy and partner Kayla Demaray, and great grandchildren Kaleb Wilson, Natalie Gallegos, Scott Plumb, Owen and Scarlett Monroy. Donations can be made to your local Korean War Veterans Association

Carl Leroy Hissman

March 21, 1929 - August 17, 2023