Gary Allen Running Sr., 85 years of age and a longtime Hoquiam, Wash., area resident, died on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. He was born on April 25, 1931, in Menomonie, Wis., to Ralph and Lillian Violet (King) Running.

Gary was raised and attended school in Menomonie. He played center for his high school football team and they were State Champions for three consecutive years. Gary also played baseball and competed in archery as a teen.

Gary proudly served in the United States Marines during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service he returned to Wisconsin for a short period of time and attended a community college.

Gary decided to come visit his sister, Vivian Hayes, of Pacific Beach. While there he met and married Della Rhodes Yates. Gary and Della established their first home in Moclips and had their son, Gary, in 1958. Della and Gary divorced in 1971, she passed in 1993. Gary, Sr. was one of the first persons at her bedside during the end of her life.

Aloha Lumber was his first place of employment for approximately 15 years.

Gary later worked for the Posey Manufacturing company, retiring in the 1990s. He was very proud of manufacturing sound boards for many brands of pianos and would often say “I may have helped build that” when he saw a piano.

Gary met and then married Saundra Lee Jakola on June 1, 1975. She passed in 2014.

As a young man, Gary enjoyed bowling and was a longtime member of the Grays Harbor Bowmen. He competed in archery and won many trophies. Gary coached his son’s Little League baseball teams in Hoquiam and also enjoyed watching his grandsons, Garth and Mike, play baseball.

Gary was a longtime member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Hoquiam and was well-known for his ministry and musical contributions.

Gary Running Sr. is survived by his son, Gary A. Running Jr. (Kim Sinclair) of Aberdeen; his grandchildren, Mike Running (Teresa), Crystal Running and Garth Running all of Aberdeen; his great-grandchildren, Talen Running, Jason Hancock and Justin Hancock all of Aberdeen; a brother, Ralph Running of Lacey; a sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn Baker and Bruce (Debbie) Jakola of Bremerton and Port Ludlow.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, at the Immanuel Baptist Church, 1200 Soule Street in Hoquiam with Pastor W. Kent Gravley officiating.

Direction is by Coleman Mortuary, 422 – 5th Street in Hoquiam, Wash.

Please take a moment to record your thoughts by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.