OBITUARIES: June 12th, 2002
Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Travis Pelfrey
Travis Pelfrey, 81, of Freeland, died on June 6, 2002, four years to the day after the death of his wife.
According to his family, “Mother came down and got Pop” after four years of waiting. Family members said that after a long life of adventure, travel, difficulties and incredible joy, their father “kicked the bucket.”
“I lived a good long full life and my body is plumb wore out,” Mr. Pelfrey said prior to his death.
He and “Mother” had two children, Francis and Kate, plus Roger and Marie, their children of the heart. He had countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with who knows how many more on the way. Pop and Mother also welcomed with love and open arms their sons and daughters-in-law.
Mr. Pelfrey was a real Okie, born in Altus, Okla., on October 24, 1921. He left home at the age of 11 during the Dust Bowl, traveling across the country by himself, and from there continued a life of full loving and outrageous adventure. His greatest source of passion and pleasure, other than family and friends, and friends to be made, was his love of nature.
After his wife died in Spokane, Mr. Pelfrey traipsed off to Whidbey Island and started a new life. He quickly made many new and close friendships at the Mutiny Bay Resort. He developed a wonderful and endearing relationship with Winnie Wheeler. He was a member of St. Hubert’s parish in Langley and the Knights of Columbus in Spokane.
His unique mark was left from Florida to California, from Alaska to Europe and Japan, and many places in between. He was a veteran, a tinker and trader, a dancer, magician, humorist, a fisherman, a farmer, an engineer and carpenter, and that is just the beginning. By those who knew him closely, to the stranded motorist and grocery clerk, Pop will be remembered and deeply missed. The family encourages that in lieu of flowers or donations, those who knew Pop take time to be kind, to help one another and cherish the Earth.
Wayne Hawley
Wayne Hawley passed away in his sleep at his daughter’s home in Lake Stevens on June 2, 2002.
He was born in Gering, Neb., on Aug. 18, 1916.
Mr. Hawley spent his youth in Gering, then moved across state with his family to Lincoln, Neb., where he met his future wife Ella Kohler. He joined the Navy in 1942; he and Ella were married in California before he went to sea. In the South Pacific he was injured aboard ship and spent many months in recovery at a Seattle hospital.
After a few years in California working as an auto mechanic and carpenter in Hollywood movie studios, he, Ella and their four young children left friends and relatives to return to the Northwest and the rural life of Whidbey Island. Warmly welcomed by his father, G. Harry Hawley, the Maxwelton community, the pioneer Mackie family and their many descendants, Wayne bought a small farm nearby on which to raise his family. Working as a carpenter and contractor, he joined the U.S. Postal Service, and became well known as a letter carrier for Clinton.
He and Ella were very active in school and community, including serving as PTA. president, Island County Fair Board member and president, Rural Letter Carriers Association of Washington president, American Legion Post 141 Commander, and Boy Scout Troup 57 council leader. Retiring from the postal service after 20 years, Wayne and Ella spent several years traveling before Ella died in 1986.
Wayne was the last of his generation in a close and caring family. He left behind four children: Skip Hawley, David Hawley, Christine Nelson, and Kathleen Kane, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed.
In tribute to his years of help and service, a traditional community potluck picnic and celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 20, at 2 p.m. at the Dave Mackie Park in Maxwelton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the caring and passionate people at Hospice of Whidbey.
