Born to George and Pretoria Baskett on December 18, 1922 in Seattle, Washington and passed away December 2, 2007 two weeks short of his 85th birthday. He grew up in West Seattle attending Lafayette, Madison and then graduating from West Seattle High School in 1941. After high school he was employed at Boeing for two years before joining the US Air Force where he flew with the 379th Bomb Group in Kimbolton, England during World War II. After his military service Larry attended Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash. where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1951. His first job brought him to Tekoa, Wash. where he spent two years teaching at Tekoa Grade School. In 1952 after his first year at Tekoa Grade School he married his College sweetheart Mary, his beloved wife of 55 years. The next 29 years were spent at Alexander Hamilton Middle School in Wallingford as a Math teacher and later becoming Counselor along with coaching boy's basketball. His summers were spent teaching Drivers Ed and managing at the Laurelhurst Beach Club.
After retiring in 1982 he had triple by-pass surgery the following year and took the doctors advice and began a diligent walking program. He would walk to the University District, Everett, and Burien anywhere he could find a bus to take him home. When resting after his long walks he would try and entice anyone to try him at a game of horse on the basketball hoop in front of his house. After retirement Larry and Mary spent their winters in Hemet, Calif. relaxing in the sun playing water volleyball, biking and hiking and developing new friendships.
Joined West Side Presbyterian Church in 1936 where his parents were active. In 2006 he was awarded his 70th year member plaque. Taught junior high Sunday school, drove the ski bus, and along with Mary spent 10 years planning trips for the seniors with him driving the van.
He is survived by his wife Mary and children Laurie (Jim) Phillips, Steve (Debbie), Ken (Tisha), Dennis (Beverly), Keith (Michelle), Lynn (Scott) Hergert, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Also, brothers Wayne, David and Sister Georgia (Hutchison) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private graveside services will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery. A memorial service for friends and family to honor Larry's life will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church 3601 California Avenue SW Seattle, Wash. 98116 at 2:00 p.m. Friday December 14th Viewing is Thursday December 13th from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home 3909 S.W. Alaska St. Seattle, Wash. 98116. Please sign the online guest book at www.howdenkennedy.com.
Keenan (Ken) Cheadle
Age 73, passed away on November 25th of a massive stroke. He was born October 1, 1934, and was raised and lived in West Seattle all his life. He attended Gatewood, Madison and West Seattle High School. He then attended Edison Tech on Broadway and became a journeyman carpenter, specializing in cabinet making. He helped build and finish many homes in West Seattle and had his own construction and remodeling business for many years. He built his family a six-bedroom home, which part of the family still live in. Ken's 20-year building career ended when bursitis took its toll on both elbows. He then worked as "temporary" custodian at West Side Presbyterian Church and remained there for 20 years until a head-on collision ended this second career.
His life included leading Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He delivered hot meals that his wife made and delivered two meals per day to "Shut-ins" at Center Park in the Rainier District. He was active with the Special People at West Side, volunteered at Children's Hospital and the West Seattle Kiwanis Club, and for 15 years made monthly visits with inmates at Monroe and McNeil prisons. He was formerly active with West Side Presbyterian Church, Grace Baptist Church and Boulevard Park Place Chapel.
He loved to travel in the RV to Hemet. He visited Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Jamaica, the East Coast and Guatemala, where he had a love for the children.
His greatest pleasure was hosting the many salmon bakes at his Poulsbo home.
He will be remembered by many for his smile and booming "hi" and always being the first to welcome a stranger.
Ken is survived by Claudia, his wife of 52 years; son Allan; daughter Carolyn (Alan) Thompson; son Steven; daughter Colleen (Larry) Sundblad; brothers Reverend Donald Cheadle of Oak Harbor and Gordon Cheadle of Poulsbo; grandchildren Gregory (Alex), Jennifer, Stephen, Jeremy, Lindsey, Mandy, Reid and Landon; and numerous nieces and nephews. His sister Marjorie Cramer predeceased him.
There was a Memorial Service on Friday, December 7th at 2 p.m. at West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Avenue, West Seattle.
Memorials may be made for children in Guatemala through Global Outreach Mission.
Please sign our guest book at www.Howden-Kennedy.com.
Elizabeth A. 'Betty Ann' Taylor
Age 80, passed away November 24, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald and her infant daughter Kathleen.
Betty was born in North Dakota and grew up in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. After graduating from St. Joseph's School of Nursing, Trinity Hospital in North Dakota she moved to Seattle where she met and married Donald W. Taylor, an officer with the Seattle Police Dept. She had a long career as an RN at Cabrini and Swedish hospitals. She was the best and will be truly missed.
Our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Bethany at Silver Lake and the Providence Hospice staff. She is survived by her children, Donna Heald, Debra VanDiver, Dianna Taylor, and Kenneth Taylor. She also leaves six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, several sisters and one brother.
Rosary 10:30 a.m. and Memorial Service 11:30 a.m., both on Monday, December 10, 2007, at Columbia Funeral Home. A "Celebration of Life" will follow the Memorial at the West Seattle American Legion Hall located at 37th and SW Alaska. Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice of Snohomish County and/or Bethany at Silver Lake, Everett. Please sign the online guest book at www.columbiafuneralhome.com.
Gary Wenzel
Jan. 8, 1947 - Dec. 4, 2007
The world has lost a generous, loving, and happy gentleman. Gary was born in Yakima and spent his life pursuing goals and enjoyment. He was known and respected as a knowledgeable and careful contractor for many years. He supported several charitable organizations and the West Seattle Eagles for a major part of his life. He was known to assist a long list of friends who had fallen into unfortunate circumstances. Gary's stories and camaraderie will be missed by all of those that were fortunate enough to have been considered a friend. May he be in his eternal home leading a toast to those that remain as we are toasting him as a true and dear friend.
