DELBERT J. HERINGTON SR.

1924 - 2011

Delbert J. Herington, Sr. passed away quietly at his home in Mount Vernon on Sunday, March 20, 2011.

He was born May 6, 1924 in Hoquiam, WA to Joshua and Diamon (Luttrell) Herington.

The family soon moved to Port Townsend where he grew up, graduating from Port Townsend High School in 1942.

He joined the U.S. Navy right out of high school and served as a pharmacist's mate, primarily in San Diego. While in the Navy, Delbert met WAVE Betty Lou Dean and they were married on February 22, 1945 in Coronado, CA. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and pursued his education in Montebello, CA where daughter Delberta was born.

In 1949 the family returned to Port Townsend where son Delbert, Jr. was born. Delbert then joined the naval reserves and was activated during the Korean War before receiving another honorable discharge in 1952.

In 1954 the family moved to Mount Vernon where Delbert worked as a lab technician at the Rowley Hospital. He and Betty were active in the Elks. Later, he worked for Texaco at the Anacortes Refinery until his retirement in 1983.

Delbert and Betty enjoyed their retirement to the fullest, spending time with their family and ever expanding group of friends. They also enjoyed traveling extensively, particularly car and bus trips to Reno, NV and camping on the Oregon Coast where he rarely passed up an opportunity to eat Mo's Clam Chowder. Delbert liked to spend his free time tending to his garden and making jewelry from agates which he and Betty collected from Oregon beaches.

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; Betty, his wife of 58 years; brother, Herb Herington; infant daughter, Margaret Ann; and grandson, Greg Henley.

He is survived by his daughter, Delberta (and husband, Douglas) Henley; son, Delbert, Jr. (and wife, Bobbi); nephew, Joshua (and wife, Susan) Herington; grandsons, Brian Henley, Steven Johnson, Chris (and wife, Shelley) Johnson; grandnieces, Sarah and Annie Herington; and great-grandchildren, Noah, Patrick and Willamaya Johnson.

Delbert's family would like to thank the staff and residents of Alpine Ridge Apartments for the enjoyment they helped to bring to his later years. An extra special thank you to Shari Bail for the time she spent with Delbert.

There will be a private family gathering of the family to remember Delbert.

Memorials are suggested to Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation, POB 5371/S-200, Seattle, WA 98145-5005.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.