JOSEPH AND JULIA [TUSHA] VAKOC, JR.
Joseph was born in 1880 in Bohemia and came to America as a baby
with his parents, Joseph Vakoc, Sr., and mother, Marie Jedlicka. He
was first engaged in farming on the home place and later acquired a
farm of his own. Joseph married Julia Tusha, daughter of Frank and
Barbora Masha Tusha, on September 20, 1910, and they lived on Joe’s
farm before they moved to Verdigre where their two sons attended
Verdigre Public School. George was born November 2, 1914, and
Wilford was born August 9, 1924.
[pg 440 photo Joseph Vakoc, Jr.]
Joseph worked in construction and masonry. His specialty was cement
and brick work which he continued after they moved to Oregon.
Their son George married Lucille Dorr of Madison in 1936 and they
moved to Medford, Oregon. They had two children, Ronald and Joan.
Joe and Julia followed George to Oregon a few years later after
Wilford entered the service during World War II. Wilford was killed
in France in 1944.
George’s son Ronald is a policeman in Camarillo, California, and has
several children. Joan Vakoc Warren had two or three daughters. Joan
lost her life when she was struck by a car while riding her bicycle.
They lived in Georgia at the time.
George and Lucille were divorced and George married Bertha Kirby in
1955. They operated a restaurant for a while on the Oregon coast.
George was ill for some time and died of lung cancer October 17,
1960.
Joe and Julia continued to live in Oregon. In 1946 their nephew
Russell E. Vakoc and family moved to Medford when Russell was
discharged from the service and they helped him get established in
new surroundings. They were willing workers on Russ’ chicken ranch
and Aunt Julia was busy showing Lee, Russell’s wife, how to dress
chickens, bake kolaches, and make potato dumplings to feed the big
family of boys. Many evenings were spent playing pinochle after
chores were done. Joe did much fishing with his friend, Frank
Konopasek, and his family who were also Verdigre residents at one
time.
Joseph died July 15, 1954, and Julia in 1972. This family of four is
buried in the same mausoleum in Medford, Oregon.
Joseph’s brother, Jerry E. Vakoc, resides at Alpine Village,
Verdigre.
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