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BORN
1935
DIED
2015
Ozell Gaines Obituary
Ozell Gaines, Jr. died quietly on February 26, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. He was born in Sweetwater, Tennessee on August 2, 1935, the only child of Ozell and Annie Gaines. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
Ozell joined the army. He was stationed in Japan with Danielle, his wife at that time. Together they climbed Mt. Fuji, and took delight in the Japanese culture.
Ozell served as a counselor for Seattle Central Community College in a federal income maintenance experiment. He helped low income persons decide what to do in the world of work, and how to access the resources to accomplish their goals. In this role he exercised his gifts and his passion to help people.
Additional employment included working at The Evergreen State College in recruitment, establishing his own business of Chore Systems, and having a long association with Jazz Alley in various capacities.
Ozell deeply loved life on his houseboat at Houseboat Harbor Inc., where he played a key leadership role for many years. Feeding seagulls, crows and ducks brought him much joy. He also derived pleasure from photography, from learning to play the flute and from reading The New York Times. Even more important to Ozell were the friendships that he cultivated, including those with children. Always he encouraged others to seek more, to be more; to write a book, to climb a mountain, to meditate.
While Ozell was a member of the Seattle First Baptist Church, he was open to other religions, especially Buddhism. Two books that he read with a friend were Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by Marcus J. Borg, and Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki.
Ozell was a kind, exceptionally generous man, who learned to love others without conditions.
Please sign Ozell's guest book at
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Memories and Condolences
for Ozell Gaines
Sponsored by The Family.
April 29, 2015
Ozell was one of my best friends. We first met as students of Hamtramck High School,in Michigan. I was drawn to Ozell because of his genuine warmth and kindness to all that came in contact with him. We started our college education together, which brought us closer, as we became study buddies.
April 28, 2015
Ozell and I shared an important part of our young lives, living as family from teenage years until Ozell joined the army. Ozell was good and kind, also reverent, a true Christian. He enriched my life as I hoped I did his. I will always miss my cousin Ozell.
chris sutton
April 18, 2015
Ozzie visited us at least twice a week while we subversives ran the Red Robin...he was quite possibly everyone's favorite customer. Most of us visited Ozzie on his houseboat, enjoying rustic ambiance and Ozzie's soft spoken commentary. I think every time I visited Ozzie, he was hosting someone new he was helping through their own difficult time-Ozzie helped all. I simply cannot speak highly enough of this gentle man-we all LOVED to see Ozzie coming...quite literally rushing up to acknowledge his humanity...and Ozzie deserved every bit of acknowledgement. He earned it, without working or intending to do so...it is not too much to say we all loved Ozzie...
April 15, 2015
Ozzie was an occasional confidant and co-conspirator, a much admired friend, and a one-of-a-kind guy of the first order. It was a pleasure and an honor to have known this gentle soul.
April 13, 2015
Ozell was truly a cornerstone in my life. I'd known him since I was twelve years old when my family moved to Seattle from Olympia.
I well recall a dapper Ozzie driving down Portage Bay in his old '57 MG TF, the car sputtering, and Ozzie happy and well!
Oz' (as called him) was a beloved brother, a friend and an uncle. A very dear man, Oz' was family to me and mine. His understated presence belied the true depth of his capacity, he was wise, a humanitarian beyond reproach, and a loyal friend to he end of time.
I will truly miss his joy of life and wisdom, and most of all his friendly face and genuine presence of being.
Happy trails my dear friend.
Love,
John Giovine
Owen Haselton
April 12, 2015
On each of the many times I met Ozzie when I lived on Portage Bay, he always made my day a little brighter. He had a good heart and will not be forgotten while I'm alive.
April 10, 2015
Ozell was a dear neighbor when we lived in Portage Bay. We had a cat - aka "Princess" to Ozell that loved to spend time at Ozells houseboat and he took great care of her when we travelled. He was quite a character and his spirit lives on. We will miss you Ozell!-Sally & Bob
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