Obituary: Edwin Allen Jirak

Feb. 6, 1928 ~ Dec. 3, 2020

Edwin Allen Jirak, husband, father, civic leader, retired pharmacist, and Navy veteran, died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at the Boise VA Medical Center at age 92.

Born Feb. 6, 1928, in Kearney, Nebraska, he was the younger of two sons of Joseph and Orpha Jirak. He enlisted in the Navy at age 18 after graduating from Ord High School. He and Leona Kupka were married in July 1950, just as U.S. forces entered the intense fighting that marked the start of the Korean War. He completed his Navy service in 1953 and returned to civilian life to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy at the University of Nebraska.

Following graduation, the Jirak family relocated to Broken Bow, Nebraska, where Ed became pharmacist at the Varney Rexall Drug Store, and later became a salesman for Eli Lilly & Co.

In 1966, the family, now with two sons and a daughter, settled in Meeker, Colorado, where Ed became pharmacist at Sides’ Rexall Drug. By 1969, Ed had become owner of the store, purchasing it from Bill Sides, and operating it as Jirak’s Corner Drug Store until selling it in 1995 to Watt’s Ranch Market Pharmacy. He continued as a pharmacist there until 1997.

While in Meeker, Ed became active in community affairs and served two terms on the Meeker Town Council before being elected Mayor in 1972. In addition, he was a Scoutmaster, and was active in the Meeker Lions Club and the United Methodist Church.

A member of the Masonic Order, he was elected to H. P. Meeker Masons, Royal Arch Chapter No. 37, and became a Commander of Commandery No. 3 of Colorado. He climbed to a 32nd Degree Mason and was admitted as Noble of the Mystic Shrine, El Jebel Temple. He was awarded his 50-year membership honors in 2005, from the Grand Lodge of Idaho, at Boise.

After retirement in 2000, Ed and Leona moved to Boise, Idaho. They found a church home at The Cathedral of the Rockies and expressed their passion for music in the choirs there and in the community. When they weren’t singing they were traveling the country in their favorite RV.

Leona preceded Ed in death in 2015. Survivors include their two sons, Jim (Susie Rhodes), Tom (Susan Graber), daughter, Jana (Karen Hackett), nieces, a nephew and cousins. He is remembered fondly by friends.

A memorial service will be live streamed at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, by the Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise (https://cathedraloftherockies.org/ Worship-Online/Classic-Worship. Note: On the 18th, a link will be at page top). Memorial contributions may be made to the Cathedral of the Rockies Choral Program, Pioneers Healthcare Foundation (pioneershealthfoundation.org), or a charity of your choice