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Evelyn Carr Mullis
Evelyn Carr Mullis died May 2, 2001 after a short illness at Islands Convalescent Center in Friday Harbor. She was 81.
She was born Evelyn Lucille Carr on July 1, 1919, in Knoxville, Tenn. She graduated in 1937 from El Dorado High School in El Dorado, Ark.
Evelyn and her husband Lowell Davis owned an apparel store in Louisiana. The store was destroyed by a hurricane and they moved to San Juan Island in the late 1970s. She and Lowell owned and operated the Sears Catalog Store here for many years.
Evelyn married Wallace G. Mullis on July 1, 1989. They spent the last 11 years traveling and enjoying their home on San Juan Island.
Evelyn was a member of many local organizations, including the Garden Club, San Juan Island Yacht Club, San Juan Historical Society and the Senior Center.
She is survived by her husband, Wallace G. Mullis; stepchildren, Nancy Davis of Arkansas, Douglas W. Mullis of Bellevue, Wash., Jerry Mullis of Friday Harbor, Wash.; and many grandchildren.
At Evelyn’s request, there will be no service.
The family asks that any memorial donations be made to the Mullis Senior and Community Center, the San Juan Historical Society or a favorite charity.
Ruth R. Phelan
Ruth R. Phelan passed away May 1, 2001 in Kirkland, Wash. She was 74.
Ruth was born Sept. 20, 1926 in Krem, N.D. She married John J. Phelan in Fargo, N.D. They raised their family in Fargo and moved to Seattle in 1962.
Following John’s death in 1983, she lived for four years in Friday Harbor where she joined the American Legion. Ruth loved to garden, cook and play bingo.
She is survived by her children, Mary (and Joe) Schoenmaker, Michael (and Nancy) Phelan, James (and Teresa) Phelan; five grandchildren, Patricia, Matthew and Robyn Schoenmaker, and Ryan and Katie Phelan; brothers, Robert and Rueben; sister, Edna; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service was May 8, 2 p.m., at Bothell Funeral Home.
Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Epilepsy Association.
Doris Sights
Former Friday Harbor resident Doris Peterson Sights died May 6, 2001. She was 97.
Doris was born July 19, 1904 in Wadley, Ga., and was raised in Rockford, Mich. She married M. Edward Sights on Jan. 4, 1935.
Doris lived in Oak Park, Ill., for 20 years, Omaha, Neb., for 20 years, Friday Harbor for six years and Greeley, Colo., for nine years.
She was a great wife, mother and grandmother, and will be missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, M. Edward Sights; sister, Aileen Kieff; brother, J. George (Bud) Peterson; and great-grandchild, Brittany Majors of Friday Harbor.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Bill Wagner of Friday Harbor; granddaughter and her husband, Deb and Bruce Majors of Greeley, Colo.; granddaughter and her husband, Laurie and Steve Buck of Friday Harbor; and six great-grandchildren, Melody Majors, Maddie Majors, Lindsey Buck, Joshua Buck, Tanner Buck and Faith Buck.
Gerald W. Walrod
Gerald Walrod, 90, passed away on Sept. 23, 2001 in Everett, Wash.
Gerald was born April 15, 1911 in Friday Harbor to George and Mary Walrod. Gerald lived most of his life on the island where he enjoyed many years of fishing, clamming and summers spent at his Uncle Harry and Aunt Hazel King's cabin.
After graduating from Friday Harbor High School in 1929, Gerald went to work for San Juan Motor Co. In 1940, he bought property on Harrison Street and built his own business, Walrod's Sales & Service. Gerald considered himself to be a mechanic at heart for as long as he could remember.
During World War II, Gerald was asked to serve at Roche Harbor Lime & Cement Co., as lime was needed by the government. After the war ended, Gerald expanded his business, becoming a Ford dealership and erecting the first auto showroom in 1956.
His heart was more in the "mechanics" part of the business. His son recalled how his Dad would spend many long evenings and weekends helping the local kids keep their cars running. After shop closing hours, Gerald would answer his door at home to young and old alike asking for the key to the gas pump so as to pump their own gas. They would return the key and pay him for the amount of gas they took. On some occasions, folks would just return the next day to pay.
Gerald was known as a very trusting, honest man who always believed a handshake was as good as your word.
Gerald also used his mechanical abilities while serving on the board of directors of Orcas Power & Light Co. during the time the marine cables were being installed from the mainland to the islands. For several years after retirement, Gerald still spent many fond hours at his shop puttering and visiting with friends that would stop by.
Gerald and his wife Bernice recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Bernice, of Everett, Wash.; son, Gale and wife Gerri Walrod of Arlington, Wash.; daughter, Mildred and husband Bill Lawson, full-time RVers.
He is survived by five grandchildren: Lt. Cdr. Daniel Johnson, USCG, stationed in Maryland; Denise Sharp, of Vancouver, Wash.; Nate Walrod, of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Gay Lynn Walrod, of Seattle, Wash.; and Keith Walrod, of Everett, Wash.
He is also survived by six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Heritage Court staff for the special care Gerald received, as well as the support to the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Heritage Court, 4230 Colby Ave., Everett, WA 98203.
At Gerald's request, no services will be held.
John Kenworthy Aldrich
John Kenworthy Aldrich, a retired Navy captain, college president, and San Juan county official, died Aug 17, 2001 in Seattle.
Known as Ken, he was born in Spokane in 1916, graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle and the University of Washington, and later earned a MBA from Stanford University.
While at the U of W in 1935, his family moved to Lopez Island. He served 24 years in the U.S. Navy, including on the Yorktown during its sinking at the Battle of Midway. He also served at the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton and the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, Germany. He retired as captain and supply officer of the Destroyer Atlantic Fleet. Ken then worked for Singer Sewing Machine Corp. in Frankfort, Germany.
Returning to Seattle, he taught at Highline Community College, then served on the organizing board of Seattle Community College. He served as dean of students at the Summit Branch, and as first president of North Seattle Community College. He retired as academic dean there.
In 1959, he obtained the family home on Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island. Later he sold that and bought his parents' home on Mud Bay, keeping it as a summer home. When he retired in 1978 he moved into it and then later moved to Whiskey Hill near Fisherman Bay.
He was active in the Lopez Island Lions Club and was on the San Juan County Board of Adjustment and the Catherine Washburn Memorial Association.
He married, first, Mary Frances White; second, Ione Starr Paul. He is survived by sons, John and Nicholas; stepchildren, Benjamin, William and Margaret Paul; 13 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The family asks that remembrances be sent to North Seattle Community College President John K. Aldrich Scholarship Fund.
Residents say Margret Lackey's death leaves a void on island
There was a story told Sunday that if Jesus needs something done in heaven, he can turn to Margret Lackey to get the job done.
"Volunteerism is her middle name," said Shirley Vejvoda, who served with Lackey for nine years on the county Senior Services Council.
Doris Sumner, senior services assistant at Mullis Center, added, "She was an incredible little power house. She packed a lot of energy and got a lot done."
Lackey died June 8, one day after being airlifted to St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. She was 84. The cause of death - heart attack or pneumonia - had not been determined June 11, her daughter Marilyn Krabbe said.
Memorial service is June 16, 11 a.m. in Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow in Mullis Center. A private interment will be held later at Valley Cemetery.
Only six days before her death, Lackey helped run the salmon barbecue at the San Juan Celebrity Golf Classic - a pet project because it raises money annually for senior services.
Sunday, residents that knew her grieved and talked of the energy that has left the island.
"She was just incredible," Vejvoda said. "She had more energy for someone her age. The golf classic was one of her pet projects because we always received about $2,500 from them for our building fund. So she really worked hard.
"(At the classic), she was selling chances on a TV that we were raffling off and her daughters finally had to say, 'You've had enough. Let us take you home so you can get some rest.'
"If someone needed something done, Margret was there to help ... She was a dear lady. She was loved by a lot of people."
Arnell Haws, senior services coordinator, said Lackey's death leaves a void in the community. Haws said Lackey was "a critical piece of the foundation" of Mullis Center.
"She believed in Mullis Center becoming a center for all the community so seniors weren't segregated," Haws said.
Mullis Center opened April 21 after a 20-year fundraising effort. The center is a community center as well as a senior center. Lackey was involved in fundraising for the center for 18 years. She had the spotlight on opening day - she was given the honor of hoisting the American flag over the center grounds for the first time.
"There was never a fundraising activity that went on that she wasn't involved in," Haws said. "On the day of the golf classic, she was there at 8:30 in the morning making sure the job was done. We should all have that kind of energy. She was an incredible example of what can be accomplished at any age."
Haws said she talked to Lackey the morning of the day she died.
"She still had that cheer in her voice. How do you measure that? Every day was a celebration to Margret. She was a constant joy."
Vi Drury of Friday Harbor said Lackey had a good time doing ... well, doing just about anything.
"We took a lot of trips together - Vancouver, Victoria, Leavenworth to see the Christmas lights. We played cards together and had such a good time. She was a wonderful person and was nice to everybody. That was just her nature ... I can't say enough good things about her."
Marie Greenfield was Lackey's neighbor on Caines Street for five years. They often got together for dinner, cards, or for worship at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.
She remembers Lackey's friendliness and sense of humor. One night they got together at Lackey's house for soup and cards. "As I was leaving, she put her coat on and got her flashlight. I said, 'What are you doing?' She said, 'I'm going to walk you home and make sure you get there all right.' But I only lived across the street."
Greenfield added, "I just can't believe she's gone."
Courtney Clark, 9, is Greenfield's great-granddaughter. She said she "felt sad" when she learned of Lackey's death.
Courtney remembers playing Skip Bo with her great-grandmother and Lackey. She said Lackey often won - and she was a fun host. Her favorite memory: "She served ice cream and pudding once when we came over."
- Richard Walker is managing editor of The Journal of the San Juan Islands and sanjuanjournal.com Contact him at (360) 378-4191, ext. 229, or editor@sanjuanjournal.com
Rachel Hannah
Rachel Hannah of Everson passed away June 5, 2001, in St. Joseph Hospital. She was 88.
She was born Sept. 11, 1912, in Caro, Mich., to George and Florence (Ames) Hess. Rachel married Gordon G. Hannah in Nooksack, Wash., in 1934. They lived in Friday Harbor, Wash., and in Alaska.
Rachel moved to Everson, Wash., in 1950 to raise her children, Judy and Gilbert, after her husband passed away. She was a member of the Nooksack Women’s Club and the Nooksack Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Hannah, in 1950; and two daughters, Sandra and Phillis Hannah.
She is survived by her son, Gilbert "Butch" Hannah of Bellingham, Wash.; daughter, Judy Arntzen of Bellingham; three sisters — her twin sister, Ruth Harris of Corning, Calif., Alice Ligocki of Bellingham, Eva Jane Holland of Bellingham; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral was Saturday, June 9, 2001, 2 p.m., in Westford Funeral Home Chapel, Bellingham. Graveside service was Tuesday, June 12, 2001, 1 p.m., at Friday Harbor Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Everson Library, 104 Kirsh Drive, Everson, WA, 98247.
Richard ‘Dick’ L. Inman
Richard "Dick" L. Inman of Friday Harbor died Wednesday, June 6, 2001, at his home on San Juan Island. He was 84.
He was born Oct. 16, 1916 in Amidon, N.D., the son of George V. and Blanche D. (Leeper) Inman. Richard attended Model High School at Dickinson State College in 1933. He worked 28 years for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Richard spent 30 years of his life in Friday Harbor and 30 years in Alaska. He was a member of the Elks, Alaska Yukon Pioneers and the NACCCA Chapter 106, State of North Dakota.
Richard was a beloved husband, father and grandfather and will be missed dearly. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Max and Robert Inman.
Richard is survived by his wife, Veronica, at the family home; daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn (Marti) and Patrick Hughes of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter, Susan Thornton of Marysville, Wash.; brothers, Russell of Spokane, Wash., and Earl of Ballantine, Mont.; sister, Vera of North Dakota; and grandchildren, Jennifer Hughes, Brian Hughes and Stacy Thornton.
Jane D. LaHusen
Jane D. LaHusen died Sunday, June 3, 2001, in her home in Olympia, Wash. She was 91.
She was born Dec. 2, 1909, to John and Agnes Edgar of Aberdeen, Scotland. Jane and her parents moved to California in 1935, where she met George A. LaHusen and they were married in 1937.
George worked for Crown Zellerbach and they were transferred to West Linn, Ore. Four years later the LaHusens moved to Lake Oswego and raised their family there. When George died in 1960, Jane moved to Friday Harbor, Wash. Here she started a new life and spent 40 wonderful years on San Juan Island.
Jane was very active in the community — the Presbyterian Church, the Guild, Study Club, Bridge Club, and Golf Club. She collected agates with the Walking Club. She enjoyed her life here with her many wonderful friends, county fairs, bazaars and events. Her cookies and desserts were great.
Jane was preceded in death by her daughter, Joyce Martin.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Imri of Olympia, Wash.; grandchildren, Michelle Dice of Olympia, Wash., Susan Imri and Ronnie Martin of Portland, Ore., Steve Martin and Kristen Lariza of Hood River, Ore.; and four great-grandchildren.
At Jane’s request, no funeral service will be held. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Friday Harbor Senior Center.
