John Dooley

1942 - 2022

John Dooley
August 10, 1942 - September 10, 2022
Tacoma, Washington - John Edwin Dooley
August 10, 1942 – September 10, 2022
John Edwin Dooley (80) of Tacoma passed away suddenly the evening of September 10, 2022.
John, oldest child and only son of Donald E. and Helen Dodds Dooley, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 10, 1942. The family moved to Lakewood, Washington in 1949, where John remained until his graduation from Clover Park High School in 1960.
John was active in Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. During his high school years, he was a Sea Scout, earning the rank of Quartermaster. It was at this time that he developed his lifelong love of boating and being on the water. He graduated from the University of Kansas in Lawrence where he met his first wife, Susan, and started a family. Following the births of their first two children in Lawrence (Alisa and Glenn), John moved back to Lakewood to be near family and start his career, welcoming son Sean and daughter Erin soon after. On July 3, 2001, John married Laurie (Wilson) and brought their two families together which included Laurie's daughters, Melissa, and Lexi. The combined families enjoyed 21 wonderful years of family celebrations, gatherings, marriages, and births.
John found his calling in business and manufacturing with roles in accounting, finance, and the emerging presence of computers in the workplace. He honed his business and computer skills at Tacoma manufacturing stalwarts Western Plastics and later Milgard Manufacturing. As computers and networks expanded in the 1980's, John struck out on his own offering his expertise in programming and computer networking to the likes of Wilcox Farms and numerous state agencies. In 1996, John went to work for Northwest Etch Technology founder and owner Carl Whinery, first as Controller (and computer guy) and later as General Manager (and computer guy). In 2006 Carl agreed to sell Northwest Etch to John and Laurie. At a time when many are thinking of retiring, John realized his dream of running his own manufacturing company. John fully retired in 2017 after more than 20 years successfully leading Northwest Etch through the many ups and downs that come with owning a small business.
John returned to his love of the water after his marriage to Laurie. First, through amazing cruises all over the world, and then later when they purchased Annabella, a 48-foot Bayliner yacht. This was the first boat John owned or operated since his childhood. Annabella took John and Laurie on adventures up and down the Puget Sound and Canada with family and friends for several years, until captaining such a large vessel became too much for him. They continued their friendships and love of boating at the Tacoma Yacht Club, having been on a magnificent cruise with friends on Puget Sound the day he passed.
John was a dedicated supporter of NPH USA; he and Laurie sponsored 5 children and faithfully attended many fundraisers. They were able to visit several NPH homes in Mexico and Central America to visit their godchildren and to attend international meetings. John was an active member of St. Leo's Parish in Tacoma where he served as Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte.
John is survived by his wife, Laurie; his children, Alisa Yamamoto (Jerry), Glenn (Sonja), Sean, and Erin and Laurie's children, Melissa Coleman (Brett) and Alexis (Lexi) Herzog (Nick). They were blessed with ten grandchildren, Jasen, Jack, and Joseph Dooley; Tyler and Sammy Yamamoto; Connor, Blake, and Jack Herzog; and Thea and Marlowe Coleman. John is also survived by his sisters Mary Larsen (Lowell) and Margaret Dooley and brother-in-law Richard Schmalz. He was predeceased by his sister Ann Schmalz and his parents Don and Helen. His presence will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Tacoma at 12:10 PM on Thursday, September 29th, with a reception following. Remembrances may be made in John's name to www.nphusa.org or the Food Connection at St. Leo Parish.