In Remembrance (by date) – Olympia High School

Our 40th Reunion Deceased Classmate Scrolling List in 2014

Classmates of Olympia High School’s Class of 1974 that have past…

You will never be forgotten.
In our hearts, you will forever remain.
Always look over us and shine on us from heaven.

You are dearly missed,
but every one of us knows that you will forever be present in our hearts and our memories.

In Order of latest Passing:

Passed/Class Size
72/650

Percentage
11.1%

Loren Wesley Shumate

Passed Friday, Jan. 12, 2024

Loren Wesley Shumate, 68, Olympia, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at Providence St. Peter Hospital, Olympia. Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Tumwater,

Passed January 09, 2024
Denise (Michel) Heath passed away January 10th, 2024 in Lacey, WA due to cancer. Denise was born November 24th, 1955 at Madigan Hospital in Fort Lewis Washington to Joseph and Darlene Michel. Most of her life she lived in Olympia, WA. She also lived in Montesano, Spanaway, Bremerton and Lakewood. She went to school at Olympia High School and completed some business schooling. Growing up Denise was an accomplished musician and loved music. She studied the piano for 12 years and enjoyed playing classical music. In the Olympia High School marching band, she played the snare drum and glockenspiel. In the band and orchestra, she played the xylophone, cymbals and other percussion instruments. Denise also participated in track and ran the hurdles, and 50 and 100-yard dashes. Denise was a baptized Christian and attended the Methodist Church in her youth. Her favorite Bible verse was “God is Love”, I John 4:8. Her main occupation was as a restaurant worker, Denise enjoyed restaurant work when she was younger working as a server and bartender; she loved serving people. Denise enjoyed spending time with her family and doing activities with her daughter and granddaughter. Denise loved to play board games, cards, cribbage and video games with others. Denise was an independent person who was very sensitive and compassionate often thought of others before herself. She was a kind, sweet and very giving person who loved to share with others. Throughout her adult life she bore suffering with great courage. Through it all she never lost her wit or sense of humor. We ask for your prayers for our family as we grieve our loss. She is proceeded in death by: her son Richard Heath Jr., Grandparents Walter, Laura and Thelma Michel. Grandparents James, Hazel and Shirley Dayton. She is survived in death by: her parents Joe and Darlene Michel; daughter Angela Heath; brother, Joe Michel, sister Connie Murphy (Mike), and nephew Austin Michel and granddaughter Taliyah. A service will be held on Friday January 19th, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home which is located at 5930 Mullen Rd Se Lacey, WA 98503

Mark Harold Riley

Obituary

Passed October 17, 2023

Mark H. Riley son of Will and Charlene Riley passed away on October 17, 2023. He graduated from OHS and earned his AA from SPSCC and a BA from Evergreen State College. He worked as a Safety and Production Supervisor for Weyerhauser for over 25 years both here in Olympia and in southern California before returning to Olympia to finish his career at Crown Cork and Seal, retiring in 2021. He was a beloved and devoted family man with a wicked sense of humor. His love of motorcycles and music continued throughout his life and included being a drummer in a band called the Coin-o-Matics that played in and around the Olympia area in his youth. If you happen to drive by Rainy Day Records give a wave to the giant ‘Nipper’ dog that graces the front window, he recently sold it to become part the downtown he loved. He is survived by his wife of 32 years Christi, sons Adam and Race, grandchildren, Dylan, Sophia and Hunter, brothers Brian and Wade, their wives, nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held summer of 2024.

Richard Eugene Tannatt

Obituary

Passed July 21, 2023

Richard Eugene Tannatt, age 66, of Lacey, Washington passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Betsy (Lynch) De Lay

Obituary

Passed July 13, 2023

Betsy De Lay passed away peacefully on July 13, 2023, in her home in Olympia, Washington, following a one-year-long journey with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Betsy was born in Olympia on November 1, 1956, to Tom and Norma Lynch. The youngest of four children, baby Betsy was adored (and mostly spoiled!) by her older sisters, Katie Maxey and Laurie Lynch, and loved (and mostly tolerated!) by her brother, Tom Lynch.
Betsy’s childhood days were filled with stories of growing up on Olympia’s Westside and summers at the family Bay House on Cooper Point. She attended Garfield Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and graduated from Olympia High School in 1974. Lifelong friendships were made during her time as a Camp Fire Girl, musician (flautist and choral), and thespian. Her vivid imagination and love of a good story took her to Washington State University, where she earned a degree in Theater Arts.
While at WSU, Betsy married Chuck Driscoll. She and Chuck had two wonderful children together, Sean Driscoll and Maureen Driscoll Black. Guiding, supporting, and inspiring the growth and development of Sean and Mo was Betsy’s proudest accomplishment. Spending time with Sean and his husband, James DeHart, Mo and her husband, Trail Black, and grandsons, Callum and Rainier were among her happiest memories.
Betsy married Michael De Lay in 1994, doubling the size of her family with the addition of Michael’s sons, Patrik (wife, Jennifer) and Christopher (wife, Irene). In 2010, she became a “mom” for the fifth time when they welcomed Wei Du, an exchange student from Shanghai into their family. Betsy believed that families are formed in many different ways and opened heart and home to all.
The only title she cherished more than “Mom” was “Grammy.” She was a proud grandmother to Callum and Rainier Black; Alex, Zuzu and Enzo De Lay; Carter and Ivy Liu De Lay; and Victoria Du Fenner.
Following successful careers in hotel management and the travel industry, Betsy retired from Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals in 2021. She was very proud of her work with medical professionals on behalf of the patients they served, and valued her relationship with her Lilly family.
Betsy and Michael enjoyed traveling and spending time at their beach house in Ocean Shores. She and Michael dedicated countless hours to feeding the underserved and homeless populations in Seattle and Olympia. During their marriage, it is estimated that they served over 2,500 meals. They enjoyed their volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and international homebuilding missions through their church.
However, nothing made Besty happier than spending time with family. She was blessed in abundance with loving family and friends. She leaves behind sisters-in-law, Vicki Lynch Kimball; as well as multiple other in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins; friends, Ruth Hallett, Jane Garity, Michael Nerwinski, Fr. Jim Lee, and many other cherished friends (far too many to mention). She was predeceased by parents, Tom and Norma Lynch; brother, Tom Lynch; brother-in-law, Barrie Maxey; grandparents; aunts and uncles. She was comforted by the belief that she would be eternally reunited with loved ones who have gone before her.
Betsy’s message to all is: We may not be able to determine how much time we have in the life we are given, but we can choose what we do with it. Be grateful for the blessings you are given, give and receive love in abundance, be kind, choose to be happy.
A Catholic Mass was held Monday, July 31, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church

Dan Devoe

Obituary

Passed June 4th, 2023

Jerry Jensen

Passed January 16th, 2023

Jerold Jerome Jensen, 66
La Center, WA – Evergreen Memorial Gardens

Jerry was at our 45th Reunion, he had just retired from Vancouver Washington’s Fire Department as their Batalon Chief. He was always such a bright and happy friend. Keep Resting in Peace for all the lives you’ve saved.

Gregory John Pilgrim

Passed January 7th, 2023

Gregory John Pilgrim was born July 14,1956 in Olympia, Washington. He passed away January 7, 2023 in Olympia, at the age of 66. He leaves behind his loving mother and three sisters, numerous nieces and a nephew, and great nieces and nephews who remember him fondly. His kind heart and jovial laugh will be missed by all who knew him.
[Obituary]

Patrick Shawn O’Neill

Passed March 28th, 2021

Shawn passed during the pandemic. I remember being friends with him in our first years at Garfield. He was a gregarious guy whose smile and personality would light up a room!
I did some digging and found many of his old films from Olympia!! He moved to Seattle and his passion was creative art in film and music. He had a YouTube Channel and posted several films there. We will be showing some of his films at the Reunion! Linkedin showed he was the VP / Communications Director / Accounts Receivable / Staff Psychologist at Cascioppo Meats in Ballard for 38 years. In 1992 he was a Music Video Director for Rap A Lot Records in Texas and then The Art and Oral Histories Director at EMP in the 90’s! He Studied at University of Washington, French at University of Montreal, History of art at Western Washington University and American History, Creative Writing and Social Studies at Seattle Central College. He was married and had a daughter.

John Olson

Unconfirmed

Geoffrey M Layton

Obituary

October 28, 2020
Geoffrey M Layton, 64 Shelton, Washington

His brother Gavin posted on FB the following tribute:

“With a broken heart I share the passing of my big brother, Geoff. Life had become more burden than joy for Geoff, and his feelings had always been intense. He could light up a room with the wit and charm he loved to share, but ultimately succumbed to the sadness that pursued him.

I miss him painfully here, two weeks after his passing, and recall a day when he, about 14 or 15 years old, saved me from drowning in a swimming pool. There was nobody else around. Without Geoff I would be long gone now. I told him that story not long ago, seared in my memory, and he didn’t remember it. He didn’t think about himself much. He thought about the world and others, and felt their feelings. He was vibrant, active, heroic by nature, and all too humble at his core. With those qualities came impatience. He finally lost patience with himself and our too trifling world.

I spent more time with him in the last year than I ever had. He was seven years older than I and we had different interests. He was creative and a talented mechanic. After I bought an old diesel truck last year, he willingly spent hours on the phone with me helping me suss out fuel and electrical problems — his interest often outlasting my energy.

Not often enough I went down to see him near Shelton. He was lonely and too grateful for the little company I gave him. He lived in an RV trailer among some tall trees and, with very little help from me, built a roof over the trailer, making a shake froe out of an automotive leaf spring and using that to cut shakes out of a cedar tree on his property. He spent hours, days, weeks making things by hand that he could have bought for $50. That roof he built over his trailer was a work of art and fierce determination, strapped to one tree with a tire and pinned to others using parts of a salvaged boat railing and beams and rafters most of us would call trees and branches…. It and most of his possessions burned up in a fire last spring, including a collection of guitars that gave him more comfort than anything else in his life. He played guitar all his life and regularly quoted Pete Townshend to me -usually without me knowing it. He had a great ear and an eclectic love of music, and when he said The Beatles were the greatest band ever it was not a matter for discussion, but a statement of incontrovertible fact.

Bra, I love you and miss you.”

Debbie (Stuart) Roark

Passed away October 1st, 2018

John F Logsdon

Passed June 6th, 2018

Michael Manning

Passed April 2018

Len Hamilton

Passed February 1st, 2018

Kelly Elizabeth (Shay) Walker

Passed away on October 28th, 2017

Audey Ray Parker

Passed September 28, 2017

Audey was born February 25, 1956 in Olympia, WA and passed away September 28, 2017 in Olympia, WA. He is survived by his two sisters, Katherine Jean Parker, Sonia Ann Parker; two brothers, Stanley Dean Parker, Shawn Patrick Parker; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Arrangements by Edwards Memorial, Funerals Homes, Chapels and Crematories.

Janet V (Conine) Fairbanks

Passed September 5th, 2017
In Anchorage, Alaska

Eva Marie (Pagel) Weiler

Passed August 10th, 2017

Rick Ross Newton

Passed June 28th, 2017

Rick was found in his chair at his home, a couple days of no contact.

Made so many rides in his Nash, he was a special, nice person! … Art

Margaret Jane ‘Peggy’ (Tobin) Meyer

Passed away June 2nd, 2017

Michael Wagner

Passed November 24th, 2016

Dyan Young

Passed away
Dyan, one of my most fondest friends! Miss You <3 Art

Dawn Marie (Ward) Johnson

Passed August 12th, 2016

Stanley Boysen

Passed April 15th, 2016

Claudette N ‘Peedy’ (Mahanes) Core

Passed January 16th, 2016

Anna Lisa (Wetzel) Knight

Passed January 14th, 2016

Ardis Clinton III

Oct 3, 1955 – Sep 15, 2014
Ardis Clinton III, age 58, passed away at home in Seattle on September 15, 2014. He truly enjoyed life and loved his family and friends. He was a manager at Art Brass Plating and a member of the W. Seattle YMCA. He is survived by his wife Debra, sister in law Rachelle, mother Shirley Clinton,… [ Legacy.com ] [ Facebook Comments ]

Shirley Marie (Mackenzie) Brock

Passed in 2013
Complications of MS.

James Edwin Arnold Jr

Passed July 7th, 2013

Randall Craig Salisbury

Passed away on May 2, 2013 from a Stage 4 Glioblastoma brain tumor…similar to the one that took Edward Kennedy and John McCain. He is missed! – Jayne (Austin) Salisbury

He is missed by all, his infectious smile and wit will not be forgotten… – Art

Beth Ann Harrison

Passed November 8th, 2012

Joy Marie (Travis) Wedeman

Passed away November 8th, 2012
Cancer

Debra Ann (Cutlip) Yohan

Passed September 23rd, 2012
In California

David J Chapin

Passed September 22nd, 2012

Donald Roy Ronneberg

Passed June 27th, 2012
Cancer

Connie Kay Thayer

Passed away November 12th, 2011

Steven Merle Junk

Steve left us peacefully in Lacey, Washington, on April 30, 2011, at the age of 55. He was born on April 4, 1956, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Willard Frank Junk and Marijane (Junk) Ridley. After graduating from Olympia High School in 1974, he attended college for one year at Bremerton Community College, studying journalism.
Steve Junk worked in construction for many years, including Marks Drywall for about 15 years. He was also the light man for the band Porky and the Beans! Steve married twice and has two children, Lindsey Ruth and John Steven. Steve loved to camp and fish, especially on the Deschutes River at his sister’s place. Steve is survived by his children, Lindsey and John; parents, Marijane and William Ridley
Steve was a very comical character that everyone loved, so much so that, even when he was very ill, he was still joking, laughing and sporting that smile that we all know. Some say that he missed his calling and maybe should have been in the entertainment industry. We will miss him so very much and will always smile when we think of him and remember the good times.

Patrick L Buker

Passed March 13th, 2011
Pat Buker, age 54, Olympia, died at home Sunday, March 13, 2011, after suffering what was determined to be a massive heart attack. Healthy and physically active, his death has shocked us all. He was born July 17, 1956, in Shelby, MT, to Newt and Stick Buker. He attended LP Brown Elementary, Jefferson Middle School and Olympia High School, graduating from Medical Lake High School in 1974. He graduated from Western Washington University in 1978 and earned an MBA from City University.

Janet E Aho

Passed July 22, 2010

Rocky T Scott

Passed away on May 10th, 2010

Deena Marie (Dieckmeier) Tveden

Passed March 19th, 2010

Richard Allen Stricklett

Passed away March 7th, 2010

Gerald Franklin Haag

Passed January 15th, 2010

James Dale White

Passed away August 19th, 2009

Harry Lester Foust

Passed April 7th, 2009

Geneva C (Kirry) Graham

Passed February 25th, 2009
A long battle with Leukemia and Graves Disease.

Donald Edward Williams

Passed away June 29th, 2008

Mark William Hartwell

Passed May 21st, 2008

Gretchen Lillie (Davis) Chandler

Passed February 3rd, 2007

Robert Alton Lawer

Passed November 11th, 2006
Cancer

Curt Rudin

Passed in 2004

Dewey Bruce Reed

Passed April 29th, 2003
Especially the Boston Harbor class remembers Dewey Reed. He passed a few years ago.

Calvin Ivadore ‘Jay’ Cutlip Jr.

Passed March 16th, 2002

Steve M Greves

Passed September 26th, 2001

Dale Ray Puckett

Passed December 31st, 1999
Dale passed away celebrating the new millennium in Portland Oregon

John Lee Malin

Passed June 17th, 1998

Gregory Gordon Loop

Passed November 16th, 1997

Norbert Paul Renaud

Passed August 5th, 1997

Darryle Chase

Passed April 30th, 1997

Chris W Bergerson

Obituary

Passed August 7th, 1993 (Age 37)

Chris was born Aug. 2, 1956, in Seattle. The family moved to Olympia, Wash., in 1960. He graduated with honors from Olympia High School in 1974, and attended Colorado Mountain College in Leadville for two years. After transferring to Western Washington University in Bellingham, he received a bachelor of science degree with honors in environmental science in 1978. Mr. Bergerson came to Alaska in 1979 and worked in construction until forming Denali Woodworking with two partners. When the partnership folded in 1986, he took a position with Neeser Construction Inc. and was project administrator with the company at the time of his death. Mr. Bergerson was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Active in sports all his life, he had played baseball since the age of 9 and, as an adult, played softball for several Anchorage teams. Mr. Bergerson was an excellent skier and enjoyed a game of golf immeasurably. His family said, “His family andmany friendships were the cornerstones of Chris’ life, and he demonstrated that through his constant loyalty and devotion. Always quick to lend a helping hand, Chris was generous with his time and with himself. He put effort into any undertaking, whether it was school, work, sports or being a husband and father. Chris had a unique sense of humor that was evident even in the depth of his illness, as was the joy and hope he shared with his many visitors. Chris fought his illness the same way he lived his life with courage, energy and grace.”
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