J.C. DELLINGER

1921 - 2007

J.C. Dellinger, age 86, of Mount Vernon died November 23, 2007.

J.C. was born August 29, 1921 in Grenville, New Mexico. He graduated in 1940.

He joined the Army Air Corp in 1942. He served in Panama Canal and Galopagos Islands. After the military he came to Washington and met and married Colene Taylor February 28, 1946 in Seattle. J. C. worked for Boeing for a time before moving to the Skagit Valley in 1947.

He worked as a dairy farmer until they bought their own dairy farm in 1957.

While owning and operating his farm he also worked for Cascade Frozen foods as a machinery mechanic for 17 years. In 1968 he left Cascade and started crop farming. He grew peas, corn, strawberries, raspberries cucumbers and several other crops over the years. He was best known for his strawberries, raspberries and cucumbers. He was well known in the valley for his passion for farming and the love of the land. Through his life of farming, his family was involved in one way or another. His son Lonnie worked for him and beside him for years daughters Barb and Sandi worked in the fields as checkers in strawberries, raspberries and cucumbers.

His wife Colene was his right hand through many, many years. Truck and tractor driver, field boss, bookkeeper and accountant and partner.

His grandchildren Scott, Crystal, Melissa, and Jay worked as berry pickers, stand attendants, truck and tractor drivers. Even his great-grandchildren Zach, Cody and Noah worked for him in his last few years. He was an avid believer of hard work, doing what you love and involving family as much as possible.

He was a member of the Elks, Profac Coop, and Skagit Farmers Association.

J.C. was a funny, fun loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Ruby Scott and Edith Atchley, brothers, Cecil Dellinger, Barney Dellinger, Gene, Kenneth, Walt & Edward Lee.

He survived by daughters, Barbara (Ron) Vercoe, Sandra (Gary) Larson, son Lonnie Dellinger and fiancee Kristie Fode; grandchildren, Crystal (Brian) Sayer, Scott (Connie) Larson, Melissa (Shannon) Corcoran, Jay Dellinger, Jenna Dellinger, great-grandchildren, Zach, Cody, Drew, and Emily Larson; Noah, Nathan, and Hannanh Sayer; Will Corcoran; Jailyn, Diana and Xavier Dellinger; numerous nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, on Wednesday at Hawthorne Funeral Home, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon and funeral will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, November 29, 2007 at Hawthorne Funeral Home, followed by committal at Hawthorne Memorial Park, and a reception in the hospitality room.