Edward Day

1946 - 2023

Edward Day
June 10, 1946 - July 16, 2023
Shelton, Washington - Edward Alan Day passed away July 16, 2023, in Shelton, Washington. He was born June 10, 1946, to George R. Day and Ina Claire Young in Olympia, Washington. He lived in Shelton the past 12 years; in Hong Kong; Flagstaff, Arizona; Tillamook, Oregon; and Libby, Montana.
Edward attended school in Tillamook until high school, at which time the family moved to Olympia. He graduated from North Thurston High School (1964) and attended Northern Arizona University (1990).
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1964-1969) and was deployed to Vietnam where he crewed helicopters out of Marble Mountain with the HMM 163rd and HMM 361st. He also took great pride in serving with HMX1, the Presidential helicopters in Quantico, Virginia. He was proud to be a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran.
Edward was married to Ginger Hovda; they divorced in 1987. He married Susan Watts Baxter at the Little Chapel of the Dove in Flagstaff, Arizona, on November 11, 1989. Professionally, he worked for the Washington State Department of Transportation Materials Lab; Olympia Police Department (sworn in as a patrolman in 1971); Libby, Montana Police Department; and Olympia School District. He loved his occupation, his fellow officers, and hanging out with his old OPD buddies, telling long, detailed stories. He was a great storyteller!
The highlight of his retirement years was living in Hong Kong as a "kept man" while his wife taught in an international school. While there, he made many friends as he held down "his stool" at the Smugglers Inn.
Edward was strong in thought, word, and deed; honest to a fault; and a loyal friend. He loved working with his hands and was an artist in leatherwork and knife building. He also was a walking encyclopedia of TV and cinema facts. There was no TV western or movie he missed seeing and could name the actors just by hearing their voice! He loved fishing and attending black powder events.
He is survived by his wife, Soosi of Shelton; sons, Edward Scott Day (Trish Garland) of Federal Way, Washington, Edward Barton Day (Kavita) of Tacoma, Washington, and Edward Matthew Day of Salem, Oregon; daughter, Leah Marie Bridges (Edward) of Randle, Washington; stepdaughter, Carolyn Parse (Paolo Rizzo) of Dublin, Ireland; grandchildren, Wyatt Siegner (Mya) of California, Eric Day of Washington, Chandani Day of Washington, Avinash Day of Washington, Ryan Day in the USMC, Reagan Day of Oregon, Latasha Thacker of Washington, DJ Thacker of Washington, and Leo Rizzo of Dublin, Ireland; and five great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his sisters, Alana Joy Kydlund and Shirley Ann Day, both of Sacramento, California. He was predeceased by his parents, and grandsons, Keaton Bridges and Victor Bridges. In addition, he leaves behind many dear friends, including Larry Rohr of Olympia and Joe Setter of California.
A celebration of Edward's life is planned for September 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at South Sound Manor, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. Guests are invited to wear their favorite hats. Inurnment will be the following day, September 13, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, WA 98042.
Memorial donations may be made to the War Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington, or to Seattle Children's Hospital.
Please share memories at www.FuneralAlternatives.org.