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IN LOVING MEMORY OF David James Zerby
David James
Zerby
Nov 16, 1936 — Feb 8, 2019
Sequim
David James Zerby's Obituary
David Zerby was born November 16, 1936, in Longview, Washington. He went to be with the Lord on February 8, 2019, at the age of 82, in Port Angeles, due to natural causes at Olympic Medical Center.
He met his wife, Lydia, in the 2nd grade as she was his best friend Leroy's sister; she was in 1st grade. He graduated from R.A. Long High School, in 1954, and immediately enlisted into the United States Navy. He was deployed on the USS Essex where he started out as a boiler room technician, but quickly "advanced" to the position of "Head Cleaner." He was honorably discharged from active duty with the Navy in December 1957, but continued in faithful service through the Navy Reserves until 1962.
In 1958, while still in the reserves, Dave secured a job with Boeing in Renton, Washington, as an Aircraft Electrician. Shortly thereafter, childhood sweethearts, Dave and Lydia, were married. He remained at Boeing for 11 years until deciding to resign amidst their layoff, in 1969. During his time with Boeing, the Lord blessed Dave and Lydia with two children; Julie, born in 1960, and Jim, born in 1965.
After leaving Boeing, Dave started a career with the Cowlitz County Public Utility District back home in Longview, where he continued for 30 years as a Field Electrical Engineer. During those 30 years, he continued his service for the Lord maintaining the position of Usher, Sunday School bus driver and church board member, as well as countless other less glamorous but deeply needed roles.
In 1972, Dave became a founding member of Unique Tin, a local car club. Based on solid roots, this club is to this day the largest in the area and hosts the premiere car show and cruise in the northwest.
He retired in 1997, at the early age of 60, and traveled around for a year looking for a suitable place to retire. Dave and Lydia settled in Sequim, in 1998.
Dave and Lydia's Sequim home became the base for many traveling adventures over the next 20 years. Their travels ranged from Northern California to Southern Canada and from the coast to far inland. Most of the destinations were coincidentally scheduled in or through areas where the elusive classic Ford parts would congregate; swap meets or the rumored barn find, for example. Fortunately for Lydia, there was never a shortage of ceramic, porcelain, plastic or stuffed toy chickens to be found. Dave being smart and the type to pick his battles, would always save room in the truck for both Ford parts and the many, many chickens. 60 successful years of marriage will do that!
Dave was well known for a number of things with a penchant for organization being high on the list. One look at any space in his life - garage, vehicles, house, yard, office - and you would instantly know that everything has a very specific place with a purpose.
Once established in Sequim, Dave joined the Model A Car Club of America. There he was active at their car shows, cruises, meetings and of course, more swap meets.
His artistic abilities were also in high demand throughout his career, particularly for office parties, retirement parties, church get-togethers and similar festive events. His drawings, always with a humorous theme, would be given to the local bakery so they could transfer it to a cake for the event. These were a hit, and to his surprise during his own retirement party, a large number of those drawings had been saved over the course of his 30 year career and revived for the occasion.
He was an active member of the Sequim Grange. Prior to that, going back to the late 1970's, he became known for growing amazing zucchinis, affectionately known as the Notorious Zerby Zucchini. Famous for their size and delicious taste, Dave would grow far more than he or his family could possibly consume in a seasons time, so the obvious recipients of the excess became his church, his office, family and friends. Although many have tried to beg, borrow or steal his technique, the mystery to his zucchini success remains a family secret to this day.
Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Irene Zerby; sister, Stella Rose Cyr; and infant brother, Raymond Arthur.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Lydia, of 60 years; his children, Julie Rinard and Jim; and his younger siblings, Ted, Dan and Sylvia.
The Celebration of Life for Dave was held in the presence of family and friends on February 16, 2019, at the Sequim Bible Church. Drennan & Ford Funeral Home in Port Angeles was entrusted with his arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook for his family and see some of Dave's memorable moments caught on camera at the following link, https://www.drennanford.com/obituary/david-zerby.
Dave Zerby; husband, father, best friend. Forever remembered and dearly missed.
He met his wife, Lydia, in the 2nd grade as she was his best friend Leroy's sister; she was in 1st grade. He graduated from R.A. Long High School, in 1954, and immediately enlisted into the United States Navy. He was deployed on the USS Essex where he started out as a boiler room technician, but quickly "advanced" to the position of "Head Cleaner." He was honorably discharged from active duty with the Navy in December 1957, but continued in faithful service through the Navy Reserves until 1962.
In 1958, while still in the reserves, Dave secured a job with Boeing in Renton, Washington, as an Aircraft Electrician. Shortly thereafter, childhood sweethearts, Dave and Lydia, were married. He remained at Boeing for 11 years until deciding to resign amidst their layoff, in 1969. During his time with Boeing, the Lord blessed Dave and Lydia with two children; Julie, born in 1960, and Jim, born in 1965.
After leaving Boeing, Dave started a career with the Cowlitz County Public Utility District back home in Longview, where he continued for 30 years as a Field Electrical Engineer. During those 30 years, he continued his service for the Lord maintaining the position of Usher, Sunday School bus driver and church board member, as well as countless other less glamorous but deeply needed roles.
In 1972, Dave became a founding member of Unique Tin, a local car club. Based on solid roots, this club is to this day the largest in the area and hosts the premiere car show and cruise in the northwest.
He retired in 1997, at the early age of 60, and traveled around for a year looking for a suitable place to retire. Dave and Lydia settled in Sequim, in 1998.
Dave and Lydia's Sequim home became the base for many traveling adventures over the next 20 years. Their travels ranged from Northern California to Southern Canada and from the coast to far inland. Most of the destinations were coincidentally scheduled in or through areas where the elusive classic Ford parts would congregate; swap meets or the rumored barn find, for example. Fortunately for Lydia, there was never a shortage of ceramic, porcelain, plastic or stuffed toy chickens to be found. Dave being smart and the type to pick his battles, would always save room in the truck for both Ford parts and the many, many chickens. 60 successful years of marriage will do that!
Dave was well known for a number of things with a penchant for organization being high on the list. One look at any space in his life - garage, vehicles, house, yard, office - and you would instantly know that everything has a very specific place with a purpose.
Once established in Sequim, Dave joined the Model A Car Club of America. There he was active at their car shows, cruises, meetings and of course, more swap meets.
His artistic abilities were also in high demand throughout his career, particularly for office parties, retirement parties, church get-togethers and similar festive events. His drawings, always with a humorous theme, would be given to the local bakery so they could transfer it to a cake for the event. These were a hit, and to his surprise during his own retirement party, a large number of those drawings had been saved over the course of his 30 year career and revived for the occasion.
He was an active member of the Sequim Grange. Prior to that, going back to the late 1970's, he became known for growing amazing zucchinis, affectionately known as the Notorious Zerby Zucchini. Famous for their size and delicious taste, Dave would grow far more than he or his family could possibly consume in a seasons time, so the obvious recipients of the excess became his church, his office, family and friends. Although many have tried to beg, borrow or steal his technique, the mystery to his zucchini success remains a family secret to this day.
Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Irene Zerby; sister, Stella Rose Cyr; and infant brother, Raymond Arthur.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Lydia, of 60 years; his children, Julie Rinard and Jim; and his younger siblings, Ted, Dan and Sylvia.
The Celebration of Life for Dave was held in the presence of family and friends on February 16, 2019, at the Sequim Bible Church. Drennan & Ford Funeral Home in Port Angeles was entrusted with his arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook for his family and see some of Dave's memorable moments caught on camera at the following link, https://www.drennanford.com/obituary/david-zerby.
Dave Zerby; husband, father, best friend. Forever remembered and dearly missed.
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Funeral Services for David James Zerby
Celebration of Life
February
16
Saturday
Sequim Bible Church
Starts at 11:00 am
David James Zerby's Guestbook
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