Felton Dewey “Pip” Pipkin, 100, passed from natural causes on Oct. 23, 2013 at Maple Ridge Assisted Living Facility.

Born in Rome, Ga. on April 8, 1913 to Bessie Elizabeth and Robert Elijah Pipkin, he was the fourth of seven children, his father a railroad man and farmer. Pip lived in several southeastern states before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1937. First serving in China, he later served as a recruitment officer in Montana.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, he was deployed to the Pacific Theater and took part in the initial invasion of Iwo Jima in 1945.

Prior to shipping out, Pip wed Helen Katherine Kolarich (1922-2008) on Jan. 19, 1942. They were married 62 years.

After the war, Pip and Helen relocated to Laguna Beach, Calif. for a short period before moving to the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles where he worked as a machinist until relocating to Freeland, Wash. in 1979.

In retirement, Pip enjoyed gardening, fishing and befriending the local wildlife. He is survived by daughter Terre Creighton (nee Pipkin), son-in-law Jeff Creighton, and grandchildren Tyler Creighton and Lindsey Creighton.

He will be forever missed.