Garey M. Lamphear
May 12, 2009
By Administrator
Garey Lamphear
Garey M. Lamphear, of Issaquah, formerly of West Seattle, died in Issaquah on Thursday, May 7, 2009. He was 78.A celebration of life is at 1 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Flintoft’s Funeral Home, 540 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah.
Garey was born May 2, 1931, in Seattle, the son of Ted and Josephine Lamphear. He was raised in Seattle, graduated from West Seattle High School and lived most of his life in Seattle.
His friends were many, as you couldn’t talk to him without being drawn to his magnetic personality. He worked for more than 35 years at the Federal Army/Navy Surplus Store in downtown Seattle, where he also had many friends as well as co-workers. He also was a member of the Jaycees earlier in his life.
Golfing and fishing were his favorite pastimes in his working years. If you wanted to know any information about our local sports of baseball or football, he was the one to talk to. He knew all about our early teams (like the old Pilots and Rainiers) as well as our Mariners and Seahawks. But his greatest passion ended up being music; he had a collection of oldies that is rivaled by none.
Even though he lived in Issaquah for only four months, he had local ties (including his former employer and many members of his family) that span more than 30 years. He quickly acclimated to downtown; he lived only two short blocks from its center on Alder Place.
And his personality acquired him new friends, starting with those sharing residences at his apartment complex. How fun it was to see his face light up as we took him around and as he talked about frequenting our grocery stores, banks, malls, parks and all of what Issaquah’s special environment has to offer.
Survivors include one son, Charlie and his wife Leslie, and daughters Pam with husband Larry, Ginger with husband Frank, and Brenda. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory.
Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
