The last family owned funeral home in Thurston County.

Albert M. Caalim passed away peacefully in his sleep at the family home on Saturday, November 11, 2023.  He was 75 years old.

 

Al was born on March 24, 1948 to Anacleto (Joe) and Naomi Caalim in the back bedroom of his grandparent’s home on Oak Street in Olympia, Washington.  He lived his whole life in Olympia.  As a child, Al always enjoyed playing sports, especially basketball and baseball.  During high school, he had to give up sports in order to work.  He worked at The Spar restaurant in downtown Olympia, where he learned some great cooking skills his whole family later eagerly enjoyed.  After high school Al worked for Boeing at the Renton plant and then spent 40 years working for the phone company in Olympia.  After his retirement, Al spent a year at home and then Teri decided he needed to take a part-time job!  He went to work at O’Reilly Auto Parts, which he really enjoyed.  He worked there for 10 more years.  Al was a very dedicated, hard-working employee.  He liked working.  When he was younger, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Later, he enjoyed woodworking and quilting.  He made quilts for his grandsons using his old jeans and was an expert using scrap parts to fix and create.  Al had a talent for “MacGyverisms”.  He was also active at church where he taught Sunday school, was a Royal Ranger commander, sang in choir, served on PTM at the school, and volunteered for many other church activities.  He went on mission trips to Spain and Venezuela, which he really enjoyed.

 

Al was a beloved husband to Teri for nearly 50 years, loving father to April Worth (Walt), Christy Caalim (Vernon), Kelly Schmidt (Steve) and Nicholas Caalim (Stacy), devoted grandfather to Holly DeLoach (Derek), Kaley Burkhardt (Jared), Ashley VanZuyt (Josh), Zackary and Emma Schmidt, Cole, Ethan, Jace, Brody and Ryler Caalim, and great-granddaughters Savannah DeLoach and Madison Burkhardt.  He was also a supportive, caring brother to Josephine Johnson (Richard), Bennie Stanley (Linda), and Eldon Caalim, as well as a favorite family member to his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.  Papa Al will be greatly missed by many. 

 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:7-8