Jerry V. Plancich died in his sleep Jan. 14, 2004, after a short illness. He was 73 years old.

Mr. Plancich was born to Lucas Sr. and Effie Plancich on May 29, 1930. He was the sixth child out of 11 children. Jerry was born, raised and lived his life in Dockton, where he and his wife Betty raised four children.

Starting at the age of 14, Jerry fished commercially with his dad, and later his boys fished with him in Alaska and on Puget Sound.

After semi-retirement, he still worked on the water but enjoyed working in the garden and yard with his wife.

Every year he looked forward to his trip to Mexico and having the Plancich family and friends reunion at his home.

People who knew Jerry will remember him as someone who was always there when others needed help.

His brother Dick and son Mark died earlier.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Betty, their children Gerald and wife Debbie, Greg and Marcie, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Other survivors include his brothers Luke, Bob, Gordon, Mike, Allen and Russ, and his sisters Vivian, DeeDee and Iona.

A reception for family and friends will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall.

Anyone wishing to send to donations should send them to the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association, P.O. Box 723, Vashon, Wash. 98070 or the Vashon Island Paramedics Fund, P.O. Box 1150, Vashon, Wash. 98070.