Gerald M. “Jerry” Lauhala
1942-2012
Gerald Maume “Jerry” Rauhala left his family to be with our Lord Jesus on March 25, 2012. Jerry was born June 10, 1942 to Marme O. and Gladys G. (Swanson) Rauhala who preceded Jerry in death. Jerry is survived by his two sons, Ryan M. (Karla) Rauhala with granddaughters, Julianna and Melissa of Puyallup, and Scott (Wendy) Rauhala with grandson, Kirk of Stanwood.
Jerry was born in Aberdeen and attended schools in Aberdeen graduating from J.M. Weatherwax High School with the Class of 1960. Jerry was active in sports playing quarterback for AHS Bobcats. After GHC, Jerry attended the University of Washington where he was president of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Jerry never missed the traditional “Turkey Day” game between the “Bobcats” & “Grizzlies”. Jerry was an active Husky alumni supporter and original Seahawk ticket holder. He also loved meeting with family and friends at Emerald Downs.
Jerry’s passion for sports was only surpassed by his love for his family, friends and family gatherings. Jerry was an honorable United States Veteran and member of the Elks and VFW.
Jerry’s proudest accomplishments were his years spent with his Dad, working on the ocean “Highlining” gillnetting on the “Tiger Shark”. They fished in Bristol Bay together for over 30 seasons.
Jerry raised his family living and working in the Puget Sound area, but Grays Harbor was his home.
Jerry is also survived by his sisters, Annette (Rod) Bush of Yuma, Ariaons, JoAnn Dragecevich of Tumwater, and brother Marme (Oralee) Rauhala of Montesano. Jerry is also grieved and will be missed by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephew.
Jerry’s family would be honored by any friends who would like to join us for a celebration of Jerry’s life at the 40et8 in Aberdeen at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Family requests any remembrance contributions be given to the Aberdeen High School Weatherwax Athletic Department.
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Robert “Bob” Preston
1942-2011
Robert was born on May 7, 1942 and passed away on Friday, July 8, 2011.
Robert was a resident of Vancouver, Washington.
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Larry L. Button
d. 2011
LARRY L. BUTTON, a longtime Hoquiam resident, died Monday, June 6, 2011, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. He was 68. He worked most of his life at area mills, most recently at Evans Products and Mary’s River Lumber, retiring in the late 1990s. At his request, there will be no service. Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary.
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Beverley (Schoening) Hale
1942-2010
Beverly Ann Hale, 68, of Yakima died Tuesday at Parkside Nursing Care Center in Union Gap. Mrs. Hale was born in Aberdeen, Wash. She worked as an independent long-haul truck driver out of Yakima for many years. Survivors include three children, James Hale Sr. and Traci Barr, both of Yakima, and Jessica Whickman of Aberdeen; a brother, Otto J. Aldridge of Elma; a sister, Julie Ann Benson of Aberdeen; 46 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Private family services will be at a later date. Arrangements are by Colonial Funeral Home.
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Diane Jo (Davenport) Dragoo
1942-2010
She is survived by three sons, Ben Dragoo of Central Park; Charles Dragoo of Montana and Mathew Dragoo; four grandchildren; Kortney and Paicyn of Central Park, Ethan Dragoo of Montana and Zack Dragoo of Aberdeen; and greatgranddaughter, Tiatyn, of Montana. She follows one son Greg Dragoo in her passing.
Diane enjoyed collecting Lady Di items as well as playing Bingo and traveling with her Life partner Steve Dayton.
She was a lifelong resident of the Harbor and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1960. Shortly after, she married Charles Dragoo and lived in Hoquiam for 20 years.
In her passing she did not want a service and would like people to remember her as she was.
Note: All obituaries listed here are copied in their entirety from their original source. Since those sources do not make these available in their archives, we have re-posted them here. Some information may be outdated.
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Neal N. Whorton
1942-2010
Neal Nathan Whorton, age 67, died January 11, 2010, in a Seattle hospital following a long illness.
Neal was born in Aberdeen to Carl and Leola (Herbig) Whorton on February 26, 1942. He graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1960. He displayed a 1960 Aberdeen High School reunion sign in his front yard for every reunion.
Neal grew up in Central Park and started his strong work ethic at an early age by becoming the head caddy at the Grays Harbor Country Club. He worked for Bigelow’s Chevrolet in their gas station, and then became a journeyman body and fender man.
In 1964 Neal married Bonnie Lou Aho of Aberdeen. they had three children: Nathan, Natalie and Noel.
In 1963 Neal had bought a home and land that would become his business. Each night Neal would shovel a pickup box load of dirt from his parents’ house and unload it at his home. When he had enough land cleared and filled, Neal and Bonnie started Sideline Auto Wrecking. He eventually left Bigelow’s to run his “Sideline” as a fulltime business.
As the business grew, Neal became known as “Good Deal Neal” after a sign was painted on the back of one of his wreckers “For a Good Deal, See Neal”. Neal owned and operated his business for over 40 years.
Neal and Bonnie built a summer home on Lost Lake. Many happy days and nights were spent there with family and friends. Neal’s greatest pleasure was in sharing good times at the lake house, his home and at the wrecking yard. Friday nights were always a time for enjoying a well-deserved end to a week. Neal was a man that never turned away when a friend asked for help. He helped many customers who had trouble paying for auto parts.
Neal took evening woodworking classes and learned how to build furniture, and he learned to speak Spanish fluently. Neal traveled extensively in South and Central America, visiting Machu Pichu and Cuba several times. Wherever Neal traveled, he made new friends. Several trips were made along the Amazon River, where he would give clothing and toys to children along the way, as well as taking pictures of the pink dolphins.
In keeping with his skill as a body man, he restored a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, and he helped each of his children restore a classic car for their first automobile.
After Bonnie’s passing, Neal married Angela Padilla Garrido, December 3, 2005 in Hawaii. Angela worked with Neal and they enjoyed traveling both in the U.S. and Mexico. They owned a home in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, which they remodeled and restored together. On a couple occasions they drove from Aberdeen to Chetumal, a distance of over 2,800 miles!
Neal and Angela enjoyed trips to New York City and Victoria. Neal enjoyed Angela’s authentic Mexican cooking, especially her ceviche.
Neal loved his family, his parrots and especially his dogs, Barney and Max. He was a past member of the Central Park Methodist Church where his parents were founders. He also served in the Washington State National Guard.
Neal was preceded in death by his mother, father, and his first wife, Bonnie. He is survived by his sons Nathan of Aberdeen and Noel of Seattle, a daughter Natalie Doll of Cosmopolis; grandchildren Neal Docsanes, Zoe, Ruby and Nolan Whorton; brother Dean of Winlock and Wayne of Cupertino, California, and his wife Angela and her children Irving, Edwin and Salimar Osorio.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, January 14th, at the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
A memorial service is set for 10 a.m. Friday, January 15, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, followed by a graveside service at Hoquiam’s Sunset Memorial Park. A reception follows at St. Mary’s.
Donations in Neal’s memory are suggested to Camp Bishop, in care of the YMCA Of Grays Harbor, 2500 Simpson Ave., Hoquiam, WA. 98550.
Note: All obituaries listed here are copied in their entirety from their original source. Since those sources do not make these available in their archives, we have re-posted them here. Some information may be outdated.
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Janet (Schaff) Parker
1942-2009
Janet (Schaaf) Parker, born May 30,1942 in Seattle, moved peacefully from this world on Nov. 12, 2009, while surrounded by family and friends.
Janet is survived by her brother, Jerry Schaaf of Union; his wife, Molly; her daughter Erin (Anderson) Enlow of Dutch Harbor, Alaska; son-in-law Tom; her granddaughters Kelly and Carlin; her grandsons TJ, Ben and Ross; also by her lifelong friend and chosen sister Alice Markewitz of Gig Harbor; and her very special “other daughter” Teri Erickson of Seattle.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Hazel C. Schaaf; and father Harold K. Schaaf.
Janet attended high school in Aberdeen where she also raised her daughter while working for a local law firm for 23 years. Janet relocated to Seattle in 1994 to pursue new career opportunities.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in early 1997. As challenging as her treatment of this disease was, it opened new doors for her professionaly and brought her many wonderful new and lasting friendships. Janet began volunteering in the oncology area at the UW Medicical Center in Seattle and later was hired as a Program Coordinator overseeing programs and activities for cancer patients and their families. She continued in this role up until her passing. Janet’s passion and deep caring for those with cancer was evident in her work and benefited all those she served and helped through her work.
So many friends and family showed up when their presence was needed, this resulted in Janet being surrounded by her loving friends on a daily basis. This was the best medicine of all. In her final weeks she was cared for by her daughter and friends as well as Hospice, which made it possible for Janet to have a peaceful passing without having to leave her much-loved home.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed in Janet’s name to Providence Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave. N., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98109.
A gathering to honor and celebrate Janet’s part in each of our lives is planned for Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at Gilda’s Club of Seattle, 1400 Broadway, Seattle. A reception will begin at 3 p.m. with the memorial service at 4 p.m.
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Thomas E. Barklow
1941-2009
Thomas Elton Barklow of Hoquiam, WA, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 19th with his family at his side, after fighting a brief, but courageous battle with brain cancer.
Tom was born in Redmond, Oregon, on November 22, 1941, to Lyle and Crystal (Williams) Barklow. He attended Elma schools for a time, but graduated in 1960 from Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen. He continued his education at Reed College in Oregon where he earned a Bachelor’s degree; then post graduate work at the University of Oregon where Tom earned a PHD in chemistry.
In 1963, Tom married Patricia Wolfe. Together they raised three daughters. The couple later divorced.
Tom spent most of his adult life operating his own business, ME TV Service in Aberdeen, where he repaired electronics. Many people from Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties benefited from his electronic expertise.
In addition to televisions and computers, Tom had many other interests; He was a 35 year member and Past President of the Aberdeen Eagles. He had an inquisitive mind which led him to be interested in a variety of activities. He was always an avid reader and passed his love of learning and reading on to his children. He also enjoyed a good game of chess and dabbled in gourmet cooking. Tom even tried his hand at artistic endeavors and crafts like lamp making and wood carving. He loved animals, especially his two cats, Skippy and J.C. Also his 1928 Ford which was given to him when he was a young boy. In college and early in adulthood, he enjoyed motorcycle riding and still has his original leather riding jacket.
In 1991, he and Carol Johnson Libby were married. Together they enjoyed camping with the Rain City Eagles, bowling, antique shopping and camera collecting.
Besides his wife, Tom is survived by his mother Crystal of Olympia; daughters, Bonita Barklow and Michelle Taylor of Olympia and Crystal Anne Cox of Prineville, Oregon; stepdaughters, Laura Warnke of Astoria, Oregon and Debbie Wimberley of Aberdeen; six grandchildren; one great grandchild and his brother-in-law and caregiver John Johnson of Central Park. His father, Lyle Barklow and sisters, Connie Jay and Linda Barklow preceded him in death.
Tom’s quiet sensitive ways, his caring heart, warm smile and loving manner will be missed by everyone who loved and knew him.
Visitation will be at the Coleman Mortuary on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5 pm and Monday from 9:30 am until 12 Noon.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, August 24, 2009, at the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, C/O Relay for Life, P.O. Box 202, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
Note: All obituaries listed here are copied in their entirety from their original source. Since those sources do not make these available in their archives, we have re-posted them here. Some information may be outdated.
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Roger Jump
1942-2009
Roger Jump, the former mill worker who became a successful restaurateur, youth baseball leader and mayor of Hoquiam, died Monday morning. He was 69.
Jump, the owner of the Casa Mia restaurant chain that started in Hoquiam, died in his sleep, according to his son, Steve Jump. He had been experiencing heart problems during the past six months, his son said.
Funeral arrangements, under the direction of Coleman Mortuary, are pending. A barbecue memorial and celebration of life service is planned for Olympic Stadium at a date and time to be announced.
Jump served two terms as Hoquiam mayor from 1996-2004. He did not seek re-election following his second term, but later ran unsuccessfully for Grays Harbor County commissioner.
He spent eight years in a very, very difficult time financially when the cities were just getting beaten up because of loss of revenue, said current Hoquiam Mayor Jack Durney. He was at the helm when tough decisions needed to be made. He made decisions in the best interest of the community and some people weren’t happy because of the decisions, but he was there and made those decisions.
Despite the tough financial times, city employees remained loyal to him, recalled former Hoquiam Parks & Recreation director Tanya Bowers-Anderson. The morale was wonderful, she said. When we went into the budget process, his goal was to keep all the employees.
The president of the Hoquiam Babe Ruth Baseball League for the past 31 years, Jumps main priority, even as mayor, was in maintaining youth programs.
He funded, personally, a lot of activities for kids uniforms, sponsorships and the like, said Durney. He did a lot of things unknown to the public supporting the youth of Hoquiam.
When times were tough, he kept his focus on youth activities and baseball at Olympic Stadium, Durney added. He moved heaven and earth to make sure kids could play baseball and Olympic Stadium was in good condition.
A native of Hoquiam, but a graduate of Aberdeen High School, Jump attended Grays Harbor College and Tacoma Vocational Institute.
Returning to Hoquiam in 1964, he worked for Grays Harbor Paper for nine years and joined the Hoquiam City Council in 1968. He also owned his own construction company for five years.
During a mill strike in 1974, he borrowed money from his parents and purchased the Casa Mia Restaurant on Simpson Avenue from Phil Bellafatto.
He could not afford, with five kids and another on the way, to go through a strike, Steve Jump recalled. He put in long days, 16-hour days, to get the business going and provide a lot better life for the kids. In doing so, he was able to get into baseball and other things.
Under Jump’s ownership, Casa Mia became successful enough that a second restaurant that he co-owned with former Hoquiam Parks & Recreation director Bob Knudson opened in Lacey in 1982. There are now nine Casa Mia franchises, from Puyallup to Richland, operating in the state.
He was a real bright guy and understood the numbers. To him, it was kind of a math problem, said Knudson, a partner with Jump in all the Casa Mias except for the Hoquiam restaurant. I dont think we changed much over the years. We were always kind of in it together, It was all a collaborative effort.
The Casa Mia has won several national awards for its pizza, including a first place in the Pizza Across America contest.
Jump was first elected president of the Hoquiam Babe Ruth League in 1978 and maintained that position since. He also served several terms as district Babe Ruth commissioner.
He was inducted into the Southern Washington Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 2000. Four years later, the youth baseball field at Olympic Stadium was named Jump Field in honor of him and his wife of 46 years, Yvonne, herself a longtime Babe Ruth volunteer.
Under Jumps leadership, Hoquiam hosted several state Babe Ruth tournaments and United States Amateur Baseball Association World Series. He managed Hoquiam to the USABA 13 and under World Series title in 2004.
He loved it, he loved baseball, said Knudson. It was an absolute and true commitment.
He wanted to make sure all kids participated and that the program was fair (for all kids), said Bowers-Anderson, who was also involved in the Babe Ruth program in several capacities. Thats why he had a hard time giving it up because he wanted to make sure (the program) was fair.
Plain-spoken, often laconic, Jump was remembered as a man who put action ahead of words.
He was a hard-get-to-know person, but he had a great heart, said Bowers-Anderson.
He was a quality man, good family man, very caring about his community and just an outstanding human being, said Durney. Hell be greatly missed. He was a very unique and very good man.
The family is planning to open an account at Timberland Bank in Hoquiam that would be used to allow disadvantaged youth the opportunity to play youth baseball.
In addition to his wife, Yvonne, at the family home, survivors include four sons, Jim of Puyallup and Steve, David and Matt of Hoquiam; three daughters, Theresa Jump and Jennifer Winkelman of Hoquiam and Melinda Bogdanovich of Aberdeen; a brother, Mike Jump, who lives in Georgia; and a sister, Virginia Lind of Oregon.
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Sandra (Esler) Lucas
1942-2008
Sandra Lucas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on November 20, 2008.
Sandra was born January 24, 1942 in Aberdeen, WA. She moved to Spokane, WA in 1964, where she raised three children and held numerous jobs, including an accomplished professional seamstress. She loved to crochet and other crafts. Sandra enjoyed shooting pool in pool leagues, where she gained many close friends whom she adored tremendously. She had a kind-hearted soul and was always willing and available to give so freely to others. She was happiest spending time with her family and friends. Sandra will be in our hearts forever.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Lucas; son, John Esler and her parents. Sandra is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Meg Trambitas; daughter and son-in-law, Cyndi and Vance Stevens; grandchildren, Kathy, Brittany, Nichole, Sandra, Heather, Crystal, Tiffany and Ryan; great-grandchildren, Zohi, Dominick and Brooklyn; two sisters and a brother, Wanda Robbins, Linda Lucas, Larry Esler and their spouses.
Note: All obituaries listed here are copied in their entirety from their original source. Since those sources do not make these available in their archives, we have re-posted them here. Some information may be outdated.
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