Colonel Vincil “Wayne” Hazelbaker, 89, USMC (ret.), lost his battle with cancer on Feb. 27, 2017, at his home in Kailua, Hawaii.
He was the son of Chris and May Hazelbaker of Grangeville, Idaho, and was raised on the Camas Prairie 10 miles north of town. He was a graduate of Grangeville High School Class of 1945. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Uvalde and USS Pasadena. He then returned to the ranch to farm and raise Arabian horses.
Called in for the Korean Conflict, he attended flight school in Pensacola, Fla., and earned his wings and a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps as a second lieutenant. He had 34 years of military service to include 680 combat missions, 10 medals and ribbons, and was awarded the highest medal for bravery by the USMC, the Navy Cross, for action in Vietnam.
He retired in Kailua, as a full colonel and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Scott of Miami, Fla. He has three children: Heather Kaio and her husband, Jake; Brad Hazelbaker and his wife, Donna; and Scott Hazelbaker and his wife, Debbie; and five grandchildren: Kerstin, Hannah, Avery, Brandon, and Emily, whom he cherished dearly. He also has a sister, Lois Fortin, of Grangeville.
A private service and inurnment will be held at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Hawaii.