Harry Gregg Brelsford

Harry Gregg BRELSFORD Died on May 7, 2003 at 8:35 AM of congestive heart failure. Mr. Brelsford was born in Houston, Texas, in 1924. He attended the College of William & Mary, but after Pearl Harbor transferred to the University of Texas, where he was a member of the SAE Fraternity. He was called to active duty in May 1943. He was wounded in action at St. Die, France, and received the Purple Heart. He graduated from Law School at the University of Texas, became an associate at Vinson & Elkins in Houston, and married Diane Bowyer of Dallas. They had been married 54 years at the time of his death. His career in law brought moves to Billings, Denver and Anchorage. In 1980 he became General Counsel of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, where he remained until he retired in June of 1988. He then moved to California to join his wife, who had completed Seminary. Following the Valdez Oil Spill incident in March of 1989, Mr. Brelsford returned to Alyeska Pipeline for the rest of that year, then "retired" again. From the 1950's Mr. Brelsford was very active in the Episcopal Church on the vestry and as a Lay Eucharist Minister, and was active in various committees, especially committees dealing with alcoholism and substance abuse problems. While in Alaska he was privileged to serve non-profit organizations, as President of the Board of the Alaska Treatment Center, and as President of the Board of the Episcopal Meier Lake Conference Center. In California Mr. Brelsford served on several Boards and Commissions of the Episcopal Diocese of California. He and Diane moved to Washington State in 1992, and resided in Seattle until his death. Activities during his life included golfing, fishing, designing model trains and traveling. An avid reader, Harry enjoyed history, crossword puzzles, and being with his grandchildren. He was a natural comic, always good for a laugh to cheer one up. A plainspoken and compassionate man, he was well known for his honesty, integrity, and his kindness to many. He is survived by his wife, the Reverend Diane, five children: Gregg, Taylor, James, Virginia Diane and Harry Matthew; four daughters in law: Puyong, Terry, Lily, and Kristen; a son in law: Alexander Belyaev; nine grandchildren: Ginna Ruth, Jimin, Alan, Julian, Christa, Nicholas, Alexandra, Geoffrey and Harry; and two step-grandchildren: Alyssa and Jason. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Brelsford Thawley, of Washington, DC. and a niece, Virginia Thawley. Services will be held Saturday, May 17th at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 2330 Viewmont Way West, Seattle, with a Gathering for Remembrances at 11 a.m., and a Memorial Eucharist at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the Family suggests memorials to Ascension Episcopal Church (Seattle), Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (Seattle), St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral, or the charity of donor's choice.