Notes:

Dec. 9, 1923 - April 4, 2005

Joey W. Acaiturri, 81, of Sweet Home died Monday at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

Joey was born in Mt. Home, Idaho, to Jocinto and Rosaria (Ajuria) Acaiturri. His parents were both from the Basque region in Spain, but met in the United States.

Joey married his first wife, Polly, of 41 years in 1947. She died in 1988. He married Betty Lindley in Reno, Nev., in 1989.

Joey moved to Burley, Idaho, in his youth. He served in the Army during World War II in the Philippines. He held degrees from Boise Junior College and Southern Idaho College of Education. He received a master's degree in administration from the University of Oregon. His first teaching position was in Dayville. He worked as the superintendent of schools in Culver, Vernonia and Pleasant Hill. He resigned from his position in Pleasant Hill to accept the superintendent position in Sweet Home. The 14-member group screening applicants for the position selected Joey unanimously, because of an information sheet circulated at the selection meeting that credited him with starting innovative curricula at Pleasant Hill. He served the district from 1972 to 1981, when he retired.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Sweet Home; sisters Joyce Tonnemaker of Seattle and Juanita Kenny; and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by brothers Louie, Pete, Gene, Leon and Sonny; and sisters Mary and Julia.

A memorial service was at 1 p.m. today at Fir Lawn Lutheran Church in Sweet Home. Workman & Steckly Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.

Family/Spouse: Pauline Bennett. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]