Final Salute

Olav Erling Selle Obituary

It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of O. E. Selle. Erling was born April 15, 1929 in Bismark North Dakota. He passed away on November 21, 2018 after a brief illness at St. John’s Hospital in Camarillo, Ca. Erling grew up in North Dakota, Minnesota and Vancouver Washington.

Erling was 17 when he enlisted in the Navy in 1946. His father signed a waiver allowing him to join at 17. Dad did two tours of Vietnam, first in 1963 and witnessed the South Vietnamese military’s coup of the government. His second tour, after being promoted to Senior Chief, was sent to Dong Ha, 10 miles south of the DMZ, a support base for Khe Sanh and other strategic outposts. Erling retired after his return in 1968.

Dad went on and became a Snap-On Tool distributor for the entire Oxnard Plain. His territory covered, the north boundary, the Santa Clara river, to the east, the Canejo Grade, to the west, the ocean. He met many struggling and expert mechanics along with shop owners and helped them better their careers and businesses by giving them credit to buy the best mechanic tools in the world. He was highly respected and trusted.

Dad retired to help with his wife’s care. Mom died of cancer in 1988 after almost 34 years of marriage. After mom’s passing, Erling was able to spend time with his family in Washington, his daughter Linda, his son George, and his grand kids.

Erling is preceded in death by his wife, Gloria, his brother, Harry, sisters, Mildred, Christina, Jewel and his daughter Linda.

He is survived by his brother John, (wife Karen), his son George, (wife Laura),four grand children, four great grand children and many nephews and nieces .

A burial service will be on Nov. 29, 2018, Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, Ca. at 1:00 PM.

Arrangements are under the direction of Griffin Family Funeral Chapels, Camarillo, Ca.
Published in Ventura County Star from Nov. 28 to Nov. 29, 2018