GREER DAVID DRUMMOND

1916 - 2013

Greer David Drummond, age 96, a lifetime Skagit County resident, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

Greer was born on November 14, 1916 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington to David and Laura (Wiljakka) Drummond.

He was raised in Sedro-Woolley and attended Central Grade School. He spent lots of time during his childhood with his friend Bill Sargent. They built a dugout canoe and traveled on the Skagit River in the summer. They trapped bobcats and coyotes on a predator's license in the Nooksack watershed during the winter. At the age of 14, one of Greer's earliest business ventures involved shining shoes at Wyb Harrison's Barber Shop. He was proud to say he shined over 100 pairs on July 3rd, 1930. Greer's father died when he was just 8 years old. Before starting High School, his Mother re-married and was planning a move to Darrington. Greer wanted to complete his schooling in Sedro-Woolley and he moved in with his best friend Guy Robinson and family. While living there he became good friends with his future business partner, Pinky Robinson.

Greer graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1934 and immediately went to work for the Sound Timber Company in Darrington for four years. After his time in the woods, Greer was hired by JC Penney Company in 1938, eventually working his way up to assistant manager. During this time, he met Edna Bjerstedt at a Grange dance on Cook Road. They fell in love and were married on September 2, 1939 in Mount Vernon. Greer and Edna were married for 69 years until her passing in March of 2009. As a newlywed, Greer left JC Penney in 1942 to work for George Hammer at Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop, filling in for Pinky Robinson while he served in World War II. Shortly thereafter, however, Greer was drafted himself and left for the war for a 39 month period.

During World War II, Greer was inducted into the Army Air Force at Fort Lewis, Washington. He entered the armament branch of the Army Air Force and he served as a Sperry Turret and Gun Sight Specialist as well as an Aerial Gunner Instructor. After serving time in Detroit, Michigan and Wendover, Utah, he was transferred to the Rattlesnake Bomber Base in Pyote, Texas where he manned a 70 man flight crew until the conclusion of the war in 1945. At this time, Greer returned home to his wife and his job at Oliver-Hammer Clothes.

In 1948, Greer, George Hammer, Pinky Robinson, and Bill Bradford purchased Hartney's Clothing Shop in Stanwood, Washington. Bill Bradford ran the store, and this partnership lasted 28 years. In 1956, Greer, Pinky, and Bill purchased Valley Hardware on Metcalf Street in Sedro-Woolley which Greer ran for 54 years. In 1959, they also bought Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop from George Hammer, which Pinky operated until he retired in 1993.

After Pinky's death in 1997, Greer, his son David and Dyrk Meyers have continued to own and operate Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop until this day. In 2010, Greer retired Valley Hardware and remodeled the building; the new home of Oliver-Hammer Clothes.

Greer was a member of the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce, Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club, Sedro-Woolley American Legion George Baldridge Post #31, Concerned Citizens of Hospital District #304, and Trinity United Presbyterian Church. He was also on the Sedro-Woolley High School Vocational Advisory Board for many years. As a community activist, Greer, Pinky, and Bill Nass worked to spearhead the re-opening of Boyd Lumber. He worked with the Concerned Citizens group to save United General Hospital, and he worked with chamber members to raise $100,000 to buy the parking lot next to Sedro-Woolley Auto Parts for customer and employee parking. In 2009, Greer was honored and awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club.

He also enjoyed golfing with Edna, participating in 4-H horse events with his children, including many memorable trail ride adventures. Greer enjoyed building his homestead and following politics. He especially looked forward to pheasant hunting in Eastern Washington every year with is son, David and lifelong friend, Sherm Drake.

Greer's most recent joy was looking forward to Thursday night dinners every week, shared with family and friends at the Hometown Café in Sedro-Woolley. He caught up on current events, loved getting updated from his Grandsons' and staying current on the family business updates.

Greer was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edna; sister Flora Gewalt Trapp; brothers-in-law, George Gewalt and Don Trapp; sister, Gladys Lien; son-in-law, Tom Stakkeland and grandson, Scott Stakkeland.

Greer is survived by his daughter, Linda Stakkeland of Clear Lake; son, David Drummond and his wife Sarah (Sally) of Burlington; four grandsons, John and Michael Drummond of Sedro-Woolley and Seth and Sam Stakkeland of Clear Lake; great- grandchildren, Siara and Shonnie Stakkeland of Clear Lake; two sisters-in-law, Faye Schmidt and Peggy Rhodes of Mount Vernon and a niece, Georgene Sather of Federal Way.

We thank you Dad for your wisdom, guidance, love and being a wonderful teacher. We will miss you, but, comforted knowing you are home with your beloved wife for eternity. We love you.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Trinity United Presbyterian Church on Collins Rd., in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Wendy Tingley officiating with interment to follow with Military Honors at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday and Friday October 24th and 25th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Lemley Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Sedro-Woolley Rotary Scholarship Fund, PO Box 726 Sedro-Woolley, WA 9
8284.

Please share your memories of Greer and sign the online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com.

Arrangements and Services are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.