Dennis S. Harlowe

1941 - 2021

Dennis S. Harlowe
January 28, 1941 - March 16, 2021
Gig Harbor, Washington - Dennis Sanford Harlowe, long-time resident of Gig Harbor, WA passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021.
Dennis was born January 28, 1941, and moved to Miles City, MT, where he would graduate from Custer County High School in 1959. After earning his bachelor's degree and later his law degree from the University of Montana in 1966, he accepted a position with the Honorable Judge George H. Boldt as his law clerk from 1966-1968. He then joined what would become one of the largest law firms in WA and specialized in antitrust law, successfully arguing before the US Supreme Court in 1974. In 2003, he joined with a group of colleagues and started a boutique firm specializing in business law that, to this day, bears his name. Dennis never appeared to be happier than being surrounded by friends and colleagues that he not only respected but admired, while at the same time serving his long-term clients as a trusted, pragmatic advisor. After a very successful 51 years of practice, he decided in 2018 to start his next phase: "Retirement". 51 years getting paid to do what you love to do. "How great is that?" -- he would say. When he was not working, he loved to fly fish, was a voracious reader, was an honored University of Montana and Custer County High School alum, and was a proud husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Those who were lucky enough to have known him saw the most generous, selfless, kind, honest, truth-seeking, family-loving man. With his infectious laugh and story-telling ability, he was one of the best companions, friends, and colleagues with whom to enjoy a Willie Nelson album, have a challenging discussion/debate about the law, physics or pretty much any topic, or just enjoy a scotch at the end of a long day.
He is survived by his greatest love, wife Evelyn (Evie or "Petunia Rose"); sons Darrin, Gig Harbor WA, Christopher (Kimberly), McKinney TX, Gregg, Gig Harbor WA; grandchildren: Courtney, Anthony, Abagail, Lily, and Reagan; great grandchildren, Raven and Riley; and sisters, Kathy and Susan, and multiple nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be planned this summer when COVID allows travel and gatherings. In lieu of gifts or flowers, family suggests contributions to places Dennis supported, such as Nature Conservancy, Humane Society or local literacy programs.