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LeCompte, David Bruce Wednesday, 27 Mar 2002
Dave LeCompte died March 27, 2002, in Tucson, Ariz. He was 47 years old.
Mr. LeCompte was born March 22, 1955, in Boston, Mass.
Mr. LeCompte’s attachment to Vashon Island began at age 5 when the family acquired a cabin on Colvos Passage near Peter Point. After years spent in Tucson, and Rockville, Md., he returned to Vashon, living in the family cabin from the mid 1970s until the mid 1980s.
In 1990 Mr. LeCompte received an Associate Degree in civil engineering from Idaho State University in Pocatello. He worked as a surveyor on construction jobs in Idaho, Colorado, and Washington, including Coors Field in Denver and Safeco Field in Seattle. For the last three years he lived with his parents in Tucson.
A son, Sean Curry LeCompte, died earlier.
Survivors include his parents, George and Marian LeCompte of Tucson; sister, Mary Shortridge and her husband Terry of Alpine, Calif.; brothers Bob LeCompte and his wife Patty of Tucson, and John LeCompte and his wife Val of Sierra Vista; three nieces, Jennifer LeCompte, Sara and Elizabeth LeCompte; one nephew, Aaron Fannin, and one great-niece, Cassidy LeCompte.
A memorial service was in Tucson. Another service is planned for next July when his ashes will join Sean’s on Vashon Island.
Aston, Rustin Saturday, 30 Nov 2002
Rustin Aston, co-owner of Blooms, died Nov. 30, 2002, from complications of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. He was 46 years old.
Mr. Aston was born May 7, 1956, in White Salmon, Wash. He grew up in the Columbia River Gorge area. After graduating from high school in 1974, he attended Pacific Lutheran University and went from there to majoring in psychology. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Washington with a bachelor’s of science degree.
His studies took him to Europe. He spent time doing research in Germany, a place and time that he remembered fondly.
He first came to Vashon in 1989 where he worked for the Beall’s Rose Farm as a sales manager. The work took him to the Rose Farm in Columbia. While working for Beall’s, he attended South Seattle Community College, where he took courses in floral design.
Rustin met Victor Kring in 1992, and the two became partners in life and in business. They operated Blooms on Broadway together.
In September 1998, they purchased the Wallflower Flower Shop, renaming it Blooms on Vashon. Rustin was the manager at Blooms on Vashon. He strove to provide excellent service, often delivering at a moments’ notice and until late at night.
He was an avid reader and reservoir of knowledge, his friends and family recall. He was a great conversationalist, providing useful and interesting information regarding art, history, music, languages and cartography, nearly anything imaginable.
As a friend, neighbor and partner, he was always the gentleman, tolerant and willing to help those in need. He was happiest when entertaining his friends. All who knew him and loved him will miss his graciousness.
Survivors include his partner Victor Kring and brother and sister, Jay Aston and Shelley Hill.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Island Funeral Service.
A potluck wake will follow.
For questions regarding the potluck, call Dova Silks at 463-4888.
Memorials in his name may be given at the Bank of America on Vashon.
Geary, Gordon Allen "Gordy" Friday, 29 Nov 2002
Gordon Allen ‘Gordy’ Geary died Nov. 29, 2002, at his sister’s home in Eureka, Calif. He was 55 years old.
Mr. Geary was born June 15, 1947, in Glendale, Calif.
He had lived on Vashon Island in the 1980s and had worked at the Islander restaurant, K2 Corp, and was manager of the Vashon Lanes bowling alley.
He served for two years in the United States Army in South Korea and was honorably discharged.
Always a competitive bowler, he won $200, 000 at the 1990 High Rollers in Las Vegas.
Friends and family say he was kind, generous and honest to a fault.
Survivors include a sister Carolyn of Eureka and many friends.
Arrangements were entrusted to Pierce Chapel in Eureka, Calif.
Thomas, Rod Tuesday, 26 Nov 2002
Rod Thomas, of Vashon, died Nov. 14, 2002, in Seattle. He was 77 years old.
He was born July 12, 1925, in Bunbury, W. Australia.
Memorial services were last Saturday.
Smith, Vanessa Rose Saturday, 23 Nov 2002
Vanessa Rose Smith, beloved daughter of Jeremy and Marla Smith, departed this world on Nov. 23, 2002, at Swedish Medical Center following complications from heart surgery.
She was given to the world on Jan. 22, 2002.
During her short life Vanessa touched many lives, gave us hope and brought many smiles.
Among her most favorite things to do was go for drives around the island, look for toys at The Little House, being read her favorite book “Goodnight Moon” and above all shopping with her mother at Thriftway.
Vanessa loved people and new faces. She overcame many obstacles with strength, grace, and a twinkle in her eye.
We will remember her always and love her forever. Our sweet little angel, Nessa Rose.
Arrangements were entrusted to Island Funeral Services.
For a time and place for the service, call 463-9300.
Michael, Jane Wednesday, 20 Nov 2002
Jane Michael, long-time volunteer at Granny’s Attic, died Nov. 20, 2002, of heart failure at Providence Hospital in Seattle. She was 86 years old.
She died surrounded by the love and in the presence of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was born Elizabeth Jane Moss May 24, 1916, in Colorado, the ninth of 12 children born to Iza Mae (Baker) Moss and Henry B. Moss.
She grew up riding horseback and enjoying her youth as a tomboy on the plains of Colorado until, at the age of 18 while visiting family, Jane’s mother was killed in a horse and buggy accident and she returned home to help raise her younger brothers and sister.
By the time Jane and Jim were married
in 1935, the Dust Bowl had hit Colorado. They had two sons and toiled as dirt farmers during the first years of their marriage. But by the time their daughter was born, running the farm was left to Jane and the two young boys while Jim went to work at whatever he could find in town.
Eventually, in 1952 they moved to California where Jane managed a small business. In 1964, she moved to Seattle and worked at the Olympic Hotel until her retirement in 1982. Slowly over the years, one-by-one, her children and then her grandchildren followed her to Washington.
At the time of her death all of her family members except one grandson and great-grandson (who are in Louisiana) lived nearby. Not only was Jane the glue that held her family together, she was a magnet of love and acceptance that drew them all to her.
She moved to Vashon in 1987. She chauffeured her granddaughter and friends around Vashon and volunteered as a cashier at Granny’s Attic until three years ago. After she retired from Granny’s she stayed active, enjoying her friends and taking care of anyone who might need or want her attention, until her illness began to take its toll last May.
She did not have an easy life but she always said she had no regrets, her family says.
Her parents, 11 siblings, husband James Wilbur, son James Warren and grandson Brian Brown, all died earlier.
Survivors include a son Kenneth of Oak Harbor, daughter Mike and granddaughter Sasja, of Vashon Island and six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Otis, Christine Cheney Wednesday, 06 Nov 2002
Christine Cheney Otis of Vashon Island died Nov. 6, 2002, of cancer. She was 93 years old.
She was born July 18, 1909, in Birmingham, Ala..
Always a lady and a book lover, she was reciting poems and literary passages until the day before she died.
Of all the words in the English language, “feisty” was her favorite and an apt description of her personality, her family says. She balanced that spirit and vigor with propriety and dignity, qualities that endured to the end, they say.
The daughter of Frank and Irene Cheney, she was raised in Allgood, Ala., at Graystone. This childhood home was a pivotal place for her and the source of many of her fondest memories. After her valued time there, she attended Birmingham Southern College, where she received a bachelor’s degree, majoring in English.
Christine worked in the family lime and cement company for several years before marrying Brooks Otis in 1937. Christine was a strong, loving and supportive wife for her husband — a classics professor and author — as his career took him from Chicago to Geneva, NY, to Cambridge, England, Rome, Beirut, Stanford, Calif. and Chapel Hill, NC.
After he died, she moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., where she lived near her eldest daughter Molly for several years. During the past eight years, she resided on Vashon, near her youngest daughter Irene, at the Knipp Hopper Home.
Mrs. Otis was a devoted mother of five children and an energetic community volunteer wherever she found herself. During her life in Palo Alto, Calif., she was instrumental in starting a swim program for children with developmental problems. She was a prolific and gifted seamstress, a talented knitter and lover of animals.
Survivors include her two sons, Brooks Adams Otis of Arcata, Calif. and Paul Otis of Seattle, and two daughters, Molly Barnes of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Irene Otis of Vashon, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Her son Cheney Otis and her husband of 40 years, Brooks Otis, died earlier.
A service was Monday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit on Vashon. She will be buried next to her husband in Chapel Hill.
Arrangements were entrusted to Island Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave. N., Suite 300, Seattle, Wash. 98109, or the Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 1416, Vashon, Wash. 98070.
Sherman, Charlotte Saturday, 26 Oct 2002
Charlotte Sherman died Oct. 26, 2002, 21 years to the day after the death of her husband, Donald W. Sherman. She was 74 years old.
She was born Nov. 5, 1927, in Olympia, to Leo Gordon and Edythe Marie (Smith) Hopkins. She was a 1945 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Seattle.
Charlotte worked as a bookkeeper for various credit unions, the Vashon Sewer District and for over 30 years for Vashon Auto Freight. She had resided on Vashon since 1968.
She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was a past Matron of Island Chapter #170 and past deputy instructor, a member of the Vashon Island Quilters, and the Vashon Heritage Society.
Charlotte enjoyed quilting, knitting and needlepoint. She also enjoyed taking cruises that led her to Alaska, Hawaii, through the Panama Canal, around Cape Horn and to the Amazon. She had also traveled to Madagascar, East Africa and England.
Survivors include her two sons, Scott of Vashon, and Craig Sherman and his wife Martha of Purdy; one daughter, Ann Marie and her husband Rick Middling of Vashon, and eight grandchildren.
There will be no memorial service, but memorials are suggested to the Hospice of Seattle or the Vashon Heritage Society.
Interment will be in Vashon cemetery with arrangements made by the Island Funeral Service of Vashon.
Anderson, Robert Ewing Saturday, 26 Oct 2002
Robert Ewing Anderson, a resident of Vashon for 40 years, died Oct. 26, 2002. He was 81 years old.
Mr. Anderson had worked for Boeing for 30 years until retiring.
Survivors include his wife, Frances of Vashon.
A memorial will be Saturday, Nov. 16, at Island Funeral Service Chapel.
Inurnment will be in Vashon Island cemetery.
Palmer, Douglas H. Sunday, 20 Oct 2002
Douglas H. Palmer, an island resident for 36 years, died on Oct. 20, 2002, at the age of 70.
He was born Jan. 16, 1932, in Seattle.
He served his country in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a heavy equipment operator for 20 years and then went to sea as a merchant marine for 20 years, retiring from the American President Lines.
He was Past Commodore of the Quartermaster Yacht Club and was the president of the board for the Heights Water District at the time of his death. He was a master woodworker and spent many hours restoring antique wooden boats.
His wife of 46 years, Kay, died earlier.
Survivors include his wife Nancy of Vashon, brother Donald of Port Orchard, sister Dawn Lee Golden-Carling of Puyallup, mother Sarah Palmer of Puyallup, stepdaughter Stephanie Moyer, of New Mexico, stepson Jack Pumphrey of Seattle, step grandchild Stephan Moyer and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was a friend to many from all walks of life. He loved people and had a true interest in them.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Quartermaster Yacht Club.
Contributions to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research are suggested in lieu of flowers. Donations can be sent in his memory to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, Wash. 98109.
Cremation and other arrangements were entrusted to Island Funeral Service.
