Clifford Warren Scogin

CLIFFORD WARREN SCOGIN
June 6, 1929 ˜ April 8, 2023

On Easter Saturday morning his youthful spirit escaped his age torn body to be with his soulmate, Bonnie, so they could dance their way to Paradise. Cliff was born on June 6, 1929, to Ivan and Arletha Scogin in Aberdeen, WA. He was educated in the Aberdeen School District and received his diploma from Weatherwax HS in 1948. As a Junior he helped the Bobcat swim team win the State Championship. Shortly after graduation he joined the Naval Reserves and elected to go into active duty later that year to be part of the Korean War. He served on the LST USS Proton in the China Sea, spending time in port at Sasebo, Japan with his final assignment in Honolulu before receiving an Honorable Discharge on Dec. 31, 1952.
He returned to Aberdeen and within 6 months had met, dated and married Bonnie Kintner. This short courtship was the start of a strong and beautiful 69-year marriage that lasted until Bonnie passed away on Christmas Day 2022. In 1954 they were blessed with a daughter (Gayla) and in 1957 a son (Richard). In 1960 they moved to Vancouver where Cliff joined Wolf’s Home and Appliance as a Service Technician, eventually earning the position of Service Manager. In the early 1980’s he started his own business, Cliff’s Refrigeration and Appliance, where he serviced all makes and models of home appliances; Bonnie managed the administrative duties. When Bonnie suffered a brain tumor in 1984 it became difficult to continue the business. However, with his expertise and personality, he was hired by Maycor (Maytag/Whirlpool Appliances) as a Regional Training Manager. He retired from Maycor in 1994 and in order to stay active offered his services to some local appliance repair companies on a part-time basis until he decided to retire completely in 1999.
Here are some insights that made Cliff unique:
When the kids were young, he bought the entire set of the World Book Encyclopedia and proceeded to read it from A-Z. With his artistic skills, he painted Christmas scenes on their front picture window when Gayla and Rich were children. He was faithful, kind, reliable, deliberate, generous and yes, a little stubborn. He was an accomplished dancer, and we will miss him gliding across the floor with his ’forever partner’, Bonnie. He was the consummate “handyman” as he was skilled in ’all things’ construction including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, roofing, working cement, and welding. He could fix any appliance. He owned almost every hand tool imaginable and could create special tools, or fixtures, needed to finish any special project. He was meticulous with his cars and his yard was always mowed and trimmed. He loved a good fire in the fireplace.
From his generation he is survived by his sister Lourayne Chase and sister-in-law Iris Kintner. He is also survived by his daughter Gayla Lingo (Tom) and Rich Scogin (Julie). As well as five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and all his special nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the caregivers at Doctor’s Inn family care home in Vancouver for their love and kindness.
A joint Memorial Service for both Cliff and Bonnie will be held at Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 3500 NW 129th St., Vancouver, WA 98685 on Saturday, June 3, at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Southwest Medical Center Foundation (peacehealth.org/donate) to support the amazing work done by PeaceHealth Hospice.
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