Davison, Gerald Brennen
Gerald Brennen Davison, 53, died Aug. 7, 2003, at Careage of Whidbey from complications of heart failure. Jerry, as his friends knew him, was born Sept. 20, 1949, in Pasco, to Gerald W. and Caroline (Brennen) Davison. Jerry was raised in Richland and graduated from Richland High School in 1971.
Jerry went on to North Seattle Community College, receiving his associates of arts degree in food service. He began his career as a chef in Seattle and then on to the Tri-Cities area. In 1988, Jerry moved to Oak Harbor. He was employed as a chef for McDonald?s Restaurants at both the Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station facilities.
Jerry Davison was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor. He was often involved in cooking for the youth group at church. He was a very enthusiastic Mariners fan, enjoyed hunting and fishing in past years and enjoyed helping other disabled persons. Each year, he participated in the cancer walk in Oak Harbor.
Jerry is survived by his father and stepmother, Jerry and Genevieve Davison of Oak Harbor; and by his mother, Caroline Ameden of Camano Island. One brother, Gregory W. Davison of Kirkland, and one sister Nancy Harbour of Anchorage, Alaska, also survive him.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor, Touch of Faith Signing Choir.
Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary is on-line at hppt://burley.plan4ever.com.
White, Frances
Frances M. White, formerly of Wichita, Kan., died at her sister?s home in Oak Harbor Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, following a brief illness.
Mrs. White was born in Detroit May 28, 1925, to Homer Francis McClung and Caroline Marie (Anderson) McClung.
Frances is survived by her sister, Pat Thompson of Oak Harbor; two daughters, one son-in-law; one daughter-in-law; seven granddaughters; and several great-grandchildren; also, many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three sons and one daughter.
In keeping with her request, no service will be held. Arrangements and cremation are under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Jensen, Jr., Donald Howard
Donald Howard Jensen, Jr., 59, 23-year resident of Freeland, died Aug. 3, 2003 at Careage of Whidbey following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Jensen was born in Tacoma Sept. 1, 1943, to Donald Howard Jensen, Sr., and Ellen Anne (Langlow) Jensen. He was raised in Tacoma where he graduated from Wilson High School in 1961. He received a double degree in accounting and business from Washington State University in 1968. Donald opened a CPA practice in Lynnwood, which he operated for a time. He was president of Lynn-o-rama for several years, and among the awards received, he was named Outstanding Young Businessman by the Lynnwood Jaycees in 1973. He was also president of the Lynnwood Jaycees for 1972-73.
Donald served in the United States Air Force Reserve. He moved to Whidbey Island in 1980, and owned the Donald H. Jensen CPA firm on South Whidbey. He was a member of St. Peter?s Lutheran Church in Clinton and the American Legion Post No. 141 in Langley. He loved boating, music and social gatherings. He did much for others without expecting anything in return. He was a giving, caring and humble man.
Donald is survived by his daughter, Blythe Jensen of Seattle; his mother, Ellen Anne Jensen, of Lake Oswego, Ore.; his sister, Sharon Odman and husband Dennis of West Linn, Ore.; also one niece and one nephew. He is also survived by his longtime companion, Margaret "Peggy" Fox of Freeland.
In keeping with his wishes, no service will be held. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Ulman, Albert
Albert Ulman died Aug. 1, 2003, at home in Oak Harbor after a long illness. He and his family, at one time, were residents of Stockton, Calif. He was born June 29, 1922, to John and Rosa Ulman in Hastings, Neb. Albert served in the U.S. Army?s 33rd Division from 1941 to 1943.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beulah Zeller, his children, Gary and Linda, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and his brother John Ulman. He was a life-long member of Disabled American Veterans and a past commander of VFW Al Jordan chapter in Stockton, Calif.
At his request, there will be no services. A private interment
will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to Skagit Valley Hospice, 1971 Highway 20, Sedro-Woolley WA 98284.
Thetford, Bernice
Bernice Marilyn Thetford, 63, 37-year resident of Oak Harbor, died July 31, 2003, at her home.
Mrs. Thetford was born Nov. 6, 1939, in Westwood, Calif., to Ole Skoog and Dorothy Fern (Kurtz) Skoog. She was raised in Medford, Ore., where she graduated from high school. She graduated from Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Ore., where she received a bachelor?s of science degree in medical technology. She also received a medical technician?s certificate from University of Oregon Health Sciences Center in Portland.
Sept. 14, 1963, Bernice married Oris Hannon Thetford in Medford. They moved to his various Navy duty stations, including California, The Philippines and eventually to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in 1976. She was a member of the Retired Officers Wives Club. She enjoyed sewing, traveling and being with her daughters. Bernice had a gift for interior decorating and was known by her family as very house-proud.
Bernice is survived by her two daughters, Jillene Stevenson and husband Don of Thousand Oaks, Calif. and Robyn Plute and husband Rob of North Bend; three grandchildren, Gwynne and Jack Stevenson and Kyle Plute; one brother, Warren Skoog and his wife, Zenda of Singapore; three nieces, Jeannie Brown of Eugene, Ore., Debbie Note and husband Mike of Medford, Ore., and Kim Wiedeman and husband Jerry of Issaquah; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Darrel and Pat Thetford of Central Point, Ore.; also, many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband Oris on March 17, 2001, and by a nephew, Arik Skoog in November 2002.
A service of remembrance will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 1 p.m., The Rev. John Lambert officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, in memory of Oris Thetford, c/o Jo Balda, treasurer, P.O. Box 345, Oak Harbor WA 98277. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Braidic, Donald Lee
Donald Lee Braidic, 53, seven-year resident of Oak Harbor, died July 30, 2003, at Skagit Valley Hospital following a brief illness.
Mr. Braidic was born Sept. 5, 1949, in Lynwood, Calif., to Arthur Jacob Braidic and Lelia Cleta (Encinas) Braidic. He was raised in San Diego, where he graduated from Helix High School. He attended Grossmont Junior College in El Cajon, Calif., for two years. Jan. 9, 1971, Donald married Angela Galovics in El Cajon. They lived in La Mesa, Calif., until 1996. He was employed as an expediter/dispatcher for the General Dynamics Corp. while in the San Diego area.
In 1996, the couple moved to Oak Harbor, and Donald was employed as a mechanic at the Boeing Everett Plant. In December 2002, he began driving trucks for Gordon Trucking Co. out of Bellingham. He enjoyed woodworking, model trains and stargazing.
Donald is survived by his wife, Angela, at home; his two children, Robert Stephen Braidic of Monroe and Chandra Lee Julander and husband Mike of Oak Harbor; his granddaughter Elizabeth Marie Julander; his brother, Larry John Braidic and wife Barbara of San Diego; his mother-in-law, Anna Elizabeth Angell of Oak Harbor; three brothers-in-law, Mark Steve Angell and wife Peggy of Oak Harbor and Stephen John Galovics and wife Barbara of Chesapeake, Va., and Lewis Edward Angell and wife Lynn of Liberty, Mo.; also, numerous nieces and nephews, including Kevin and John Braidic of San Diego. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lelia Braidic.
A gathering to commemorate his life will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m., at 1376 Crosby Road, Oak Harbor. Memorials may be made to Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Van Kal, John
Services of remembrance for John Van Kal will be held Saturday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m., at Oak Harbor First Reformed Church with Pastor Tad Southard officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Mr. Van Kal, 86, died July 30, 2003 at Whidbey Island Manor following a lengthy illness. He was born June 12, 1917, in Rotterdam, Holland, to Cornelius and Yzina (Verschoor) Van Kal. He completed elementary school and then went on to complete four years of trade school, learning the skills of a carpenter.
John began his building career in Holland. For a time, he left construction and assisted his father in his cow hide business. He joined the Dutch Army during World War II. With the German invasion of Holland, he was placed in a concentration camp in Amersfoort. After five days as a prisoner, John?s wife and his father rode their bicycles the distance of 100 miles to the concentration camp, where they assisted him in safely escaping back to Rotterdam. John was married to Johanna Hendrika Baan on Oct. 12, 1938.
John, Jo and their daughter moved to Wassenaar in 1946, where he served as a police officer. They moved on to Groningen in 1949, where he again assisted with the cow hide business with his father.
In 1950, the Van Kals immigrated to the United States with their daughter, settling in Oak Harbor. John began building homes in Oak Harbor with Cliff Nienhuis. That partnership lasted about 12 years. In the early 1960s he formed his own construction business, which he operated until 1983. His work was primarily residential construction.
John was a member of the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor and the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge No. 2362. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, carpentry, painting, camping, sports, including soccer, football and ice skating. He was very involved with his grandchildren?s hobbies and sports. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family and friends, and especially with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jo, at the family home in Oak Harbor; by one daughter Joanne Boyer and Bob Wilson of Oak Harbor; by one sister Christina Goverde and husband Wim and family; by three grandchildren, Kathleen and Robert Reinstra, Cindy and Gene Watson, Carla and Vince Terlaje; and by four great-grandchildren, Sherri Reinstra, Michael and Sarah (Boon) Reinstra, Chad Purdue and Kyle Terlaje.
Memorials may be made to the Tall Elks or the Elks National Foundation. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel. This obituary is on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.
Grandy, Kenneth
Kenneth C. Grandy was born Jan. 11, 1913, on Vashon Island. He went to be with his Lord and Savior July 29, 2003, at the age of 90. Ken was a loving father, grandfather and foster parent. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for seven years, and the U.S. Navy for 27 years. He retired from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and resided in Oak Harbor for 12 years before moving to Tacoma.
A memorial service was held July 19 at Sunset Bible Church. Donation in memoriam can be made to Make a Wish Foundation.
He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Lois in 1988, and is survived by his wife Pearl of Tacoma, his daughters Rae Ann Marrelli (Les) of Seattle, Arra Youngstrom (Walt) of Belfair and Valerie Peterson (Mike) of Oak Harbor.
His grandchildren are Linda Breiling (Jim) of Freeland, Sue Walker (Doug) of Edgewood, Yvonne Klopfenstein (Kevin) of Clinton, Ken Marrelli (Tina) of Seattle, Ken Lewis (Elizabeth) of Hawaii, Owen Lewis of Bremerton, Brian Lewis (Karie) of California and Heather Peterson of Oak Harbor.
His great-grand children are Shasta, Danielle and Michael Breiling of Freeland, Travis and Lindsey Walker of Edgewood, Christi Wenzek (Aaron) of Clinton, and Tim Klopfenstein of Clinton, Shawn and Hayley Marrelli of Seattle, McKenna, Kendra and Blake Lewis of Hawaii, Daniel Lewis of Bremerton, Brandon and Tyler Lewis of California. His great-great-grand children are Ryan and Alexis Wenzek, of Clinton.
Breha, George
George Ernest Breha, former owner of Miss Print copy shop, died suddenly July 28, 2003 at the age of 47. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 3, at Family Bible Church.
George was born Jan. 26, 1956, in Maine. He grew up in Vernon, N.J., where he met his future wife, Dolores Evans. They were married July 26, 1976, and George joined the U.S. Navy the same year. During his career in the Navy, George worked as a flight engineer for P-3 aircraft, and distinguished himself with numerous awards and medals, including four Sea Service Deployment ribbons, four Meritorious Unit Commendation awards, Navy Pistol Sharpshooter ribbon, two Armed Forces Expeditionary medals, and two Navy Achievement medals. George and Dolores have two daughters, Christal Wollas and Rebecca Huffman, and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his parents, George Breha and Patricia Sisco.
After George's honorable discharge from the Navy, he and Dolores owned and operated Miss Print copy shop on Midway Boulevard in Oak Harbor from 1991 to 2001. He most recently worked as maintenance director for Summer Hill Retirement Center, where he was beloved by staff and residents alike.
Anyone who knew George knew that he was a lover of anything mechanical. He had an uncanny understanding of cars, trucks, or anything with an engine. Nights and weekends frequently found George in his garage fixing the car of a friend, relative or even a stranger. George attended Family Bible Church with his family, where he served for a time as a deacon, tending the grounds. He loved hunting, camping and the outdoors, his favorite spot being just north of Winthrop. It is in this place that he will be laid to rest by those who love and miss him. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
Strader, Daryl R. 'Doc'
Graveside services for Daryl R. ?Doc? Strader were held Aug. 1 at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Oak Harbor, with Cmdr. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN, officiating. Whidbey Island Naval Air Station?s Honor Guard and Oak Harbor Police Department provided funeral honors.
Daryl Russell Strader died July 28, 2003, at his home in Oak Harbor. He was 81. He was born Oct. 1, 1921, in Irrigon, Ore., to Frank Edward and Esther Graybeal (Thurner) Strader. He was raised in Irrigon, near Hermiston and Cascade Locks, near The Dalles, Oregon. Daryl joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression and worked on construction of Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks.
Daryl Strader joined the U.S. Navy in October of 1940. During World War II he was assigned to the aircrew of VPB-52, the Black Cat squadron, flying aboard the PBY Catalina seaplanes. "Doc" served as flight engineer for much of his military career. He was married Jan. 10, 1945, to Celeste Delight Coe in Vancouver. They were happily married for 56 years.
Doc retired June 1, 1960, at NAS Seattle as an ADC (E-7) with 20 years of military service. Following retirement, he was employed at NAS Whidbey by McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Company as a field representative. On June 1, 1960, Doc began a second career, that of law enforcement. He was hired by the city of Oak Harbor to work as a police officer. He began as a patrolman. Doc worked his way up through the ranks and on Feb. 10, 1979, retired as captain.
Doc Strader attended Whidbey Presbyterian Church of Oak Harbor. He was a member of the Chief Petty Officers Association, PBY Memorial Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392, and Navy League of the United States.
Doc Strader loved hunting and fishing. He and Celeste commercial fished at Neah Bay and LaPush for several years. He had a special hunting cabin near Goldendale where he spent many wonderful days with special friends and family.
Daryl Strader is survived by four children and their spouses: Daryla and Charles Extine of Renton; Pamela Kennedy of Oak Harbor; Mark and Donna Strader of Lynnwood; and Jana Palmer of Oak Harbor. One brother, Rick Strader of Madras, Ore., and one sister, Gayanne Thompson of Culver, Ore., survive him. Seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive. His wife Celeste Strader and two brothers, Dennis and David Strader, preceded him in death.
Memorials may be made to PBY Memorial Association, P.O. Box 941, Oak Harbor WA 98277-0941. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
