Harold Steven LaCaze, Jr., rural Endicott resident, passed away early Sunday morning, January 4, 2026 at his home. He was 85. He will be buried in a private ceremony at the Pine City Cemetery.

Harold was born October 28, 1940 in Seattle, Washington to Harold, Sr. and Georgia Huffman LaCaze. Harold left home when he was about 12 years old and moved to California where his father was. He developed a strong work ethic helping around the Big Sur Ranch for several years. He married Ardena Cutler and began a family together in central California. Harold was very inquisitive and had an inventors or engineer's mind. He became a self-taught electrician and worked his way around several jobs.

Through the years he became a highly sought after employee, especially around the mills of the Louisiana Pacific Company. Family life was a little rougher for him as he never stayed still for long. His long work days, workaholic attitude, and multiple jobs made home life hard to sustain and Harold and Ardena eventually divorced. She had relatives in the Endicott area and Harold had been introduced to this part of the Palouse.

Eventually while in Whitman County he met Linda Venable who was a horse trainer near Ewan and Lamont. They became friends and at one point moved to Ketchikan, Alaska where they were co-workers in the Ketchikan Spruce Mill there. They married in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on October 15, 1992. After moving back to Whitman County from Alaska he worked at the Spokane steel foundry for a time. He became medically disabled and suffered from several health issues and for the last 16 years they have lived on Union Flat Creek outside Endicott and worked as watchmen or caretakers for the landowners; the Hill family.

Harold enjoyed fishing, panning for gold, and tinkering on cars or anything mechanical. Because of his engineering mentality he was able to invent a couple of different machines that proved helpful in his quest for gold mining.

Harold is survived by his wife of 33 years Linda and their four-legged companion Jack at their home near Endicott; his children, Ardena Rayell Davidson, Teresa Grace Maria LaCaze, and Harold Lewis LaCaze; 3 grandchildren, Steven, Natasha, and Mercedes; his brother Frederick LaCaze; and a special cousin, Henry B. "Skip" LaCaze. He was preceded in death by his parents a sister, Pauline, as well as Ardena Cutler and several of the extended Cutler family.

Corbeill Funeral Home of Colfax is in charge of the arrangements. www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com