Edwin Randall Tolle of Holiday Island, Ark., was born March 27, 1926, in Studley, Kan., son of Howard LaVerne and Fairy (Harter) Tolle of Eureka Springs, Ark., who preceded him in death. Ed departed this life Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017 in Eureka Springs, Ark. at age 90.
Ed proudly served his country in the Merchant Marine. He graduated from Wayne State University with a Doctorate Degree in Education. He was a member of the St. James Episcopal Church, charter member of Holiday Island Rotary Club, Elks Lodge, American Legion, V.F.W. and Masonic Lodge Huntsville #364.
Ed spent 20 years in public education (as teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, college professor) and 25 years in Federal Service with the Agency for International Development/Department of State (in education, urban, general development) in Vietnam, North Yemen, Liberia, Somalia and Latin America.
He was author/co-author of: The Eureka Springs Railway: a Short-Line Railroad to a Little Town, Ozark Speechifyin’, The Great Eureka Springs Bank Robbery, Rattlesnake Pete and the Great 1,000 Mile Horse Race. Ed loved traveling and spending time with his family and friends.
On June 10, 1976, he was united in marriage to Loan Kim (Mai) Tolle, who survives him at their home. He is also survived by his three sons and two daughters, Michael E. Tolle and wife, Barbara, of San Francisco, Calif., Steven A. Tolle Col., USA, (Ret.) and wife, Karen, of Grand Junction, Colo., Jeffrey R. Tolle and wife, Charlene, of Sullivan, Mo., Yume K. T. Leavell and husband, Ken, of Holiday Island, Ark., Colleen T. King and husband, Eric, of Lakewood, Colo. Grandchildren are Gilman Tolle and wife, Diane, of San Francisco, Calif., Ian Tolle and wife, Jessica, of Troy, N.Y., Theresa Nelson and husband, Jim, of Collierville, Tenn., Jamie Yachym and husband, Eric, of Parker, Colo., Ayden, Larrah and Kenner Leavell, and Beau King; and great-grandchildren Joscelin, baby boy on the way, Jordan, Austin, Olivia, Vincent and Greyson.
Memorial service will be in March (date to be announced) at the St. James Episcopal Church, Eureka Springs, Ark. Arrangements under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. Memorial donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 28 Prospect, Eureka Springs, AR. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2017