As a kid in Albany, Oregon, I fell in love with fire trucks — that led to being a volunteer Tahlequah fire captain — which led to Vashon Fire Commissioner and building three fire stations.

When I was 15, my family moved to Tahlequah, where the local high school guys worked on the ferry because the men were off to war. That led me to my seamen papers, the U.S. Navy, the Military Sea Transport and then the Merchant Marine.

I was in the 1946 class of Vashon High School, and the 1951 class at College of Puget Sound.

I found Carol and we married in 1955. WE MADE IT 68 YEARS!!! We moved to Slaughters Pohl Road farm and fixed up an old chicken brooder house to live in.

Bill and Joslyn joined us, and we raised an assortment of animals.

I joined my father, Holt, in Slaughters Furniture for 39 years.

I drove “Hell on Hills,” a Model A Ford, ‘Portland’ 49 Ford and “Vana Green.”

I taught drivers education.

I was a Sigma Chi, Active Club, Elk, Rotarian, South End Community Club and MOTLEYS International.

I built the Clam Cove Water system, South End Community clubhouse, three fire stations and remodeled three houses.

I loved my noon beer, evening martini, and Friday OLD BOYS lunch at SPORTY’S.

I am proud to have served my community and my country.

I got to see six generations living at Slaughterville – Grandma Isabell; parents Holt and Alberta; kids Bill (Baifeng] and Joslyn (Marvin Johnson] grandsons Ben [Flo] and Isaac and great-grandchildren Abigail and Alejandro.

I was lucky to live on VASHON ISLAND.

We moved to Solstice Senior living at Pt. Defiance for two years. Then, a STROKE — not so much fun, BUT I did enjoy teasing the nurses at TOBEY JONES, and Carol played all my favorite songs.

I loved life. 1927 — 2024