Elizabeth Mather
We lost another of our valued comrades when Elizabeth Mather passed away on August 1. Elizabeth served in the United States Navy, 1952-56 and was an active member of 8870, including as past Quartermaster until her health forced her to reduce her activity. The post charter was draped in her honor at our August meeting and Mike Reagan brought her portrait, which was later presented to her family at her Funeral Mass, held August 19, 2016 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Edmonds. Liz will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
James Harkness
Jim Harkness, one of Post 8870’s few remaining veterans of World War II passed away on August 18. Jim born in Elk Point, South Dakota Jim graduated from Snohomish High School in 1942 at 16 years of age. He enlisted in the Army in September 1943 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge with the 758th Field Artillery BN. After being honorably discharged in March, 1946, Jim married Ruth Clemens Nentwig in 1951 and had a daughter, Sue Carol (Harkness). During his career with Safeway, Jim met and married his second wife, Dorothy Neal, in 1982. Jim enjoyed collecting antiques, writing his memoirs, short stories and poetry and was a very active member of VFW Post 8870. Jim is survived by three sisters, Gladys, Tina, and Fanny of the Midwest; his daughter, Sue Carol (Harkness) Irwin of Renton, wife, Dorothy Mae (Davenport) , three stepchildren, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Interment was at Tahoma National Cemetery, on August 25, 2016.
Kenneth Hicks
Just before press time, we learned that Ken passed away on July 22 of this year. Born November 17, 1946 in Livingston, Montana, later living in Orting, WA, Ken served in the Air Force from 1969-73 and in Vietnam from 1971-72. He performed C-54 aircraft maintenance at Tan Son Nhut AFB and also served as a flight mechanic with the 377th CAMS with 200 sorties. Stateside, he was based at Lackland AFB, Shepard AFB and McClellan AFB. Awards include the Good Conduct Medal. He had been a member of Post 8870 since February 2014. Ken earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and retired after a career as an engineer with Boeing. Ken resided in Edmonds with his wife Carol and is survived by a son and daughter. Ken was a member of Cascade Warbirds.
At the July Post meeting, Ron Clyborne, pictured at left during the 2016 Independence Day Parade, Chair of the Plaza Committee, gave us an update on our new Edmonds Veterans Plaza. As of the date of our July meeting, funding pledges exceeded $500,000, well over our initial funding goal of $420,000.
