Daily Sitka Sentinel

Oren Flolo Dies at 78; Taught at Sitka High

Oren Lee Flolo

Oren Lee Flolo, beloved husband, father and grandfather, went to join his Heavenly Father on April 12, 2022, in  West Sacramento, California, following a lengthy illness.  He was 78.

Oren was born in Kellogg, Idaho, on October 31, 1943, to John and Louise Flolo.  He grew up in Vergobbi Gulch, the “Little Italy” of town. He attended the local elementary and middle schools, and enjoyed Cub Scouts and Little League Baseball.

Like many kids in The Valley, he was no stranger to hard work.  During his high school years, he and many of his best friends worked in the mines together. He was also a great football player for the KHS Wildcats and met his first true love, Charlene Reasor, before going on to graduate from Kellogg High School in 1962.

Oren attended college at the University of Idaho where he studied to be a teacher.  On Nov. 19, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Charlene, at Saint Rita’s Catholic Church in Kellogg. They welcomed their first child, John, on Nov. 27, 1967, in Moscow, Idaho. A proud “Vandal,” Oren later graduated from the University of Idaho  with his teaching credential and a master of science in education in the spring of 1968.  

Oren loved nature and the outdoors and was passionate and excited about moving to Alaska. He began his first and only teaching position at Sitka High School in 1968.

On June 11, 1969, he and Charlene welcomed their youngest child, Daren, in Kellogg.

During his long career, Mr. Flolo enjoyed teaching history and sociology to hundreds of Sitkans. He taught U.S. history (a required sophomore class) for 26 years before his retirement in 1994. Along the way, his love of fishing and taste for adventure led him to pursue his captain’s license. In 1984, he began JayBird Charter Service, one of earliest charter guide services on Baranof Island. He caught king salmon and halibut with thousands of people from all over the world – including the famous author James Michener.

And in a town full of great fishermen, he was definitely one of the best.  He loved his clients, most of whom returned year after year.  Many were relatives, but he treated them all like they were his family.  There were two rules on His Boat: Rule #1 - The CAPTAIN is ALWAYS RIGHT … if you are wondering about Rule #2, you surely didn’t know Oren very well.  

Oren Lee Flolo was a loyal, devoted husband who adored and cherished his wife of 55 years.  He was a proud father who loved his boys wholly and unconditionally, and raised them to be honest, hard-working men. He faithfully adored his grandchildren – they brought him true joy and happiness.  

Oren loved his family and friends with all his heart. He enjoyed a good party and loved to entertain.  He was a passionate Italian-Norwegian who preferred his salami on lefse.  He liked his coffee dangerously hot, and his dinner too! He liked his Rainier ice cold.

His boat was always shipshape and his house and yard in tip-top condition.  When he was in, he was all in ... full send!

He will be remembered dearly and deeply missed by those he leaves behind. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlene Flolo, of West Sacramento, and his two sons, Daren of Costa Rica, and John, of West Sacramento.  He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Dylan, Garrett, Grace and Carolina Flolo.