Irvin Russell Jolliver

Irvin Russell Jolliver, 95, passed away on May 28, 2018. He was born at home in Vancouver, WA on October 10, 1022 to Izetta Jane Manary and Samuel August Jolliver. Irvin grew up near the Vancouver railroad roundhouse, where he played with his friends and cousins. He loved everything about trains, and he would later choose the location of the site where he built his home based in part on proximity to the train tracks. Irvin attended Vancouver High School and was elected to the Honor Dramatic Society. Because of that special recognition, he was given the opportunity to design and build the sets for the senior production of Pride and Prejudice. When WWII broke out following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Irvin joined the Army at 19 and served for three years in the Pacific region as a Classification Specialist with an Aviation Engineer Battalion participating in the construction of airfields on Guam and Okinawa. After the war, Irvins mentor and high school art teacher, Pearl Hall, encouraged Irvins attendance at the Portland Museum Art School and Reed College, where he met his wife, Berenice Stocks. A lifelong educator, Irvin taught ceramics at the Portland Museum Art School for 18 years and humanities, art and biology at Hudson Bay High School for more than 35 years and was selected to join the National Endowment for the Humanities faculty. Together with his wife Berenice, Irvin established the Vancouver Arts and Crafts Fair. He was also a member of the Mayors Art Commission and participated in the selection of the architectural firm of Walla & Nelson to design the Vancouver City Hall. Irvin spent many years renovating the home and grounds that he built next to the home of his teachers, Ruth and Pearl Hall. He created many interesting landscapes features out of found materials. He also spent summers working for the Erickson Farms driving all kinds of equipment, a skill he picked up during his years in the military. Irvin was a water colorist, and combined his interest in painting with his love of the railroad, painting trains and landscapes. He also created enamel dcor for religious installations built by his friend Norbert Sorger. Irvin studied and then taught wine tasting at Harris Wine Cellars in Portland. His favorite wine was the one I am drinking. After Irvin retired from teaching, he devoted time to building extensive train models, to chasing trains around the northwest and to watching trains with friends at the Vancouver Depot. Irvin also enjoyed traveling. He traveled across the United States, to France and Holland as well as Greece, Italy and Morocco to visit friends accompanied by his son Adrian and his friend Joe Dobriski. A special thanks to the many wonderful caretakers whose kindness and patience over the years allowed Irvin to spend his final years at home. Irvin is survived by his wife Berenice Stocks Jolliver and by his children, Cerise (Terry Romel), Linette (Ross Driver), Cynthia, Holly (Rob St. John) and Vincent (Suzanne Meacham), his grandchildren Aubrey Driver, Cecily Driver and Noel Driver, April Taylor, and Andrew Jolliver, Bryan Jolliver and Preston Jolliver, his great grandchildren Aubree and Elliana Taylor, and Owen Jolliver and his niece, Luann Russell. Irvin was predeceased by his sister, Doris Resnick, and by his son, Adrian Jolliver. Irvins interment took place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Irvin Russell Jolliver

October 10, 1922 - May 28, 2018