Classmate Profiles
Edward James (Jim) Cooper Jr. - Passed May 18, 2023
You might remember him as a graduate of Clover Park High School, radio personality for KMO, car and drag racing enthusiast, photojournalist for Drag News Magazine, Mortgage Banker, or a member of the Street Rodding community.
Jim was all of those things. He was always fully engaged in his careers, hobbies, and life.
As the saying goes, his journey was not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body. Rather, his desire was to skid in sideways totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit...what a ride!"
Jim was born on August 19, 1941, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington. He was the adopted, or "chosen" son (his mother explained to him), of Edward J. and Mary W. Cooper. He was raised as if he had always belonged. Jim grew up on Steilacoom Lake, attending Park Lodge Elementary School, Navy Base Middle School, and graduating from Clover Park High School in 1960. His sports at the time were football and wrestling, and he survived Bulbar Polio at age 17. It forever changed his focus on life. He lived as if he were on borrowed time.
Early in high school, he developed his passion for cars, and the people involved with cars. That passion would forever be a common theme; involving him with the sport of drag racing, being a photojournalist for Drag News, and having his own talk radio show called "Pit Pass."
He followed his father into the mortgage business in his early 20s. That choice led him to a successful career in mortgage banking, where he held several designations to include AMP President, Director, Lifetime Director of Puget Sound Mortgage Lenders, Director of Seattle Mortgage Bankers, and selected speaker of numerous seminars and clinics related to mortgage banking. More importantly, many of the people he worked with throughout the years became lifelong friends.
Retirement enabled him to pursue his desire of building his First Street Rod --- supported and encouraged by his best friend, Al Swindahl. Five years later, with the completion of his '34 Ford Coup, he went back to work at Puget Sound Title Company. This afforded him the ability to build a second car, a '56 Chevy Bel Air. Both cars were award winners at numerous events up and down the west coast. His last car, the '32 Roadster, was built just for fun. The sport of Street Rodding allowed him to meet and enjoy a phenomenal group of people along the way.
Jim leaves bahind his wife, Glenda; brother Ric; sons Jim (Fran), Mitch, Kent (Gretchen), CI; and the memory of his son, Steve, who preceded him in death.
https://www.newtacoma.com/obits. Publicly announced by New Tacoma Cemeteries. Funeral Home and Crematory in University Place, WA. The most recent obituary and service information is available at the New Tacoma Cemeteries, Funeral Home and Crematory website.
Publish by Legacy on June 2, 2023
1960 Clover Park ASB President
He attended Clover Park Schools where he was active in student government among other activities. At Hudtloff Junior High, he was student body president in the ninth grade. As a senior at Clover Park High and member of the Class of 1960, he was again student body president during his senior year.
Lowell graduated from Harvard College in 1964, then returned to Seattle and earned his JD at the University of Washington in 1968.
Lowell leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Diane Vosburgh Halverson, his daughter, Liana (Tom Montague), son Ward and grand children Scott and Sidney Montague and Alexandra Halverson.
Lowell always considered himself a social activist. While at Harvard, he rode a freedom bus to a sit-in in Maryland in 1961. Lowell practiced family law in Seattle and Mercer Island. He served on the Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar Association and as the president of the Washington State Bar (1991-92). During this time, he learned about IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) from its introduction in Australia and Florida. With the help of the Washington State Supreme Court, the Legal Foundation of Washington was established using the interest on lawyers' trust accounts to fund legal services for the state's poor. He performed a great deal of pro bono work and encouraged other lawyers to do the same. Lowell wrote a book called Divorce in Washington, A Human Approach and edited a number of Washington State Bar guides.
In the 1970s, along with Seattle native activist Bernie Whitebear and other native activists, he helped engineer a victory at Fort Lawton and helped open the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center on land that Indians had sought to reclaim from the United States government.
Lowell's father was born in Craig, Alaska to a Tlingit mother and Norwegian father. Both Lowell and his father were early delegates to the Central Council of the Tlingit Indian Tribe of Alaska. Lowell organized the first Tlingit and Haida tribal court system in Alaska. He often sat as a judge in the tribal court. He served as one of the vice-presidents of the Tlingit Haida tribe. Lowell's Tlingit name was Heen La Sah (Spout of the Killer Whale).
Lowell loved sailing, fishing, river rafting, traveling, and spending time with family. He was a prolific painter and metal sculptor and created playful landscape designs. He was incredibly well-spoken and intelligent, idealistic, competent, kind, and loving.
The family will be holding a memorial service at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Magnolia Park in June. If desired, memorial donations may be sent to Legal Foundation of Washington (https://legalfoundation.org/.) and Tlingit Haida Washington Chapter https://www.thwachapter.org/. Partially published May 16, 2023 in Seattle Times.
Passed on November 1, 2022
He is survived by his wife, Mary, his sister, Liesel Christine, two nephews Ken and Karl, his niece, Lindy, and numersous cousins. Chuck was raised in Steilacoom. He went to Steilacoom Grade School, Clover Park High School, and the University of Puget Sound. Chuck joined the army in 1962, attained a rank of PFC (E3) and served for three years, stationed in Germany. He was in Germany when the Berlin Wall went up. He often spoke of his service as being a transformative time in his life. Returning from service, he was granted a scholarship to the University of Puget Sound where he became an occupational therapist. Hie worked in this capacity at Rainier School in Buckley and at Western State Hospital. He went to work for the State of Washington in Seattle and continued with the state until he retired after 33 years of service. He married his wife, Mary, in 1985. In retirement he and Mary found an interest in selling books online as a fun retirement project. He enjoyed searchng and researching books to list. He also loved gathering and collecting curious and unusual things and trying to figure out their purpose.
He was a great raconteur, especially of his childhood and time in the service. Together Chuck and Mary started a scholarship at the University of Puget Sound for Occupational Therapy students. He wanted others to have the opportunity he had to go to college. He was a loving, kind, and caring soul. He was a wonderful husband and devoted friend. No service is planned.
Mary Heinze
John Edwin Dooley Obituary
August 10, 1942 - September 10, 2022
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 in Tacoma at Western Plastics and later Milgard Manufacturing. In 1996, John went to work for Northwest Etch Technology and owner Carl Whinery, first as Controller (and computer guy) and later as General Manager. in 2006 Carl agreed to sell Northwest Etch to John and Laurie. 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. While retired, John purchased Annabella, a 48-foot Bayliner yacht. This was the first boat John owned or operated since his childhood. For years John enjoyed boating on Puget Sound and around Canada with his family and friends. John belonged to the Tacoma Yacht Club and the day he passed he had just been on a magnificent cruise with friends.
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 in order to visit their godchildren. John was blessed with 10 grandchildren in his own family. Remembrances may be made in John's name to www.nphusa.org or the Food Connection at St. Leo Parish.
John was an active member of the Clover Park Class of 1960 Reunion Committee.
A faculty Icon
12-31-1929 to 3-3-2018
While he was not a classmate, he was someone very special to our class, and we wanted to honor him in this way.
We were fortunate to have had many excellent teachers at Clover Park High School. Each of us has 2 or 3 or more who we can remember as our favorites or as someone who made a special impact our life. They were a teacher who we especially liked; or, they were someone we feel made a difference in our life. Jerry Storvick was likely one of those teachers for many of us. If we were able to see a list of all of our classmates showing those teachers, my guess is that Jerry Storvick would be mentioned often and maybe most often.
Jerry was not only a good Social Studies and Contemporary Affairs teacher, he made every class day fun and interesting. And he had a way about him of making every person he spoke with feel that they were a special person. And, Jerry really did feel that we each had something special to offer. Each of us who had Jerry as a teacher, or simply knew him has a fondly-remembered incident or experience to recount.
If you have something that you remember about Jerry and would like to share it, please take the time to put it in the "Our Class Blog" section.
Below, is the Obituary that appeared in the Tacoma and Olympia newspapers this past weekend.
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CARL FYNBOE Following is the formal obituary for Mr. Fynboe, as he has always been known to those of us over whom he presided as vice principal. Mr. Fynboe has, over the years, remained a friend of our class. He has attended all of our class reunion dinners. Considering all of the thousands of students who passed through Clover Park High School, Mr. Fynboe never failed to amaze with his recollections of people and events. Throughout his life, he remained a person of the highest standards and impeccable character. We are proud to have had him as our vice principal and as a close friend to the class of 1960. He will be missed.
OBITUARY
Carl T. Fynboe A champion for education in Washington State and a wonderful Christian man, died on November 8, 2012. His life was about relationships and how he connected with people, touching the lives of many. His grandchildren were often impressed by his interest in their friends and how they were doing. Family and faith were the center of his life and he was surrounded by his family and his pastor when he died.
Carl was born in Decorah, Iowa on February 13, 1927. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, C. S. and Adelaide Fynboe, and his only sister Elizabeth Hanson. Carl is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ingrid; daughters, Karen (William Oltman), Kathy (Scott Buser), and son, Chris (Karie Hamilton); grand-children, Kirsten (Isaac), Andrea (Bryan), James (Mary), Nicholas, Katie, Jonathan, Alexis; and great grand-children, Justice, Selah, Jude, James David, and Hallie. Carl began his educational career, which he considered a calling, at Clover Park High School in 1950, as a chemistry and German teacher. At 25 years of age he was appointed Vice Principal at Clover Park High School. Carl was elected and served as President of the Washington Education Association in 1958. In 1961 he was named Principal of Clover Park High School. His next calling in 1971 was to become Headmaster at Annie Wright School. In 1974, he was hired by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to the newly created position of Director of Private/Independent Schools. After retiring from public education in 1982, he became President and CEO of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools until 1992. During his tenure with the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, Carl shepherded the Homeschool Law through the State Legislature and became the Administrative Advisor and a Founder of the Washington Homeschool Organization. On June 26, 2012 at 85 years of age, Carl received a Doctor of Divinity from the Covenant Bible Seminary and ordained as a Minister of Christ by the Covenant Bible Fellowship. Carl's other passions included serving on numerous boards, the first being the Board of Regents at Pacific Lutheran University and Board of Trustees at Charles Wright Academy. In the 1970's Carl was President of Lutheran Community Services, which led to the building of the Tacoma Lutheran Home and Nursing Center. Later, he was a Director on the Stewardship Foundation Board for seventeen years, which he considered the greatest joy for Christian outreach. A member of Rotary International since 1960, Carl has been a member of the Lakewood Rotary, Tacoma #8, Olympia, and Gig Harbor Rotary Clubs. One of Carl's loves was music and singing. He began his singing career at the age of five singing a solo on the Omaha Radio station. He sang in the Choir of the West at Pacific Lutheran College as a high school student and later as college student and soloist. Carl continued singing with the Normanna Men's Chorus and many church choirs until the time of his death. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 12115 Park Avenue S., Tacoma, WA 98444 on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 2 PM with a reception following at the Pacific Lutheran University Scandinavian Cultural Center at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Carl T. Fynboe Memorial Scholarship Fund at Mount Rainier Lutheran High School in Tacoma. Burial arrangements provided by Mountain View Funeral Home. Published in News Tribune (Tacoma) on November 14, 2012 |
Robert (Bob) Beecroft Obituary:
Bob Beecroft was born to Venora (Bates) Beecroft and Christopher Beecroft on November 23, 1941 in La Junta, CO.
Bob moved to Lakewood, WA in 1943. He went to grade school in Lakewood and graduated from Clover Park High School in 1960.
He lived at Lake Cle Elum and Ronald, WA where he worked as a wrangler at a dud ranch and as a choker setter in the logging industry. Bob moved to Springfield, OR in 1967, and worked in a sawmill for several years. In 1975 Bob and family moved to Selah, WA where he worked in construction for numerous years. He retired from Monson Fruit in 2014.
Bob joined the Washington National Guard in 1964 and was transferred to the Oregon Army Reserve in 1968. He worked with disabled veterans. He was honorably discharged in 1970.
He enjoyed being in the outdoors hunting and fishing, especially with his grandchildren. Bob enjoyed spending time with his familly and going to the grandchildren's various sporting events. He loved both the Seahawks and the Mariners. He also idolized John Wayne.
Bob leaves behand his son Rick (Rhonda) Beecroft, daughter Suki (Allen) Covell, five grandchildren: Ryan, Drew, Bo, Chloe, and Chad; a sister Lauradel Ross of Lacey; and numerous nieces andn nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, Bill, and his nephew Justin Beecroft.
Memories may be made to www. shawandsons.com.
Published: Yakima Herald - Jan. 16, 2018 (Somewhat shortened.)
Doug Bassett - 1942 - 2020
Doug Bassett passed away peacefully on Tues., Nov. 3, 2020 at the age of 78 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was the son of Benjamin and Pearl Bassett. When he graduated high school, he met Sandra Lee Bassett---the love of his life. They were happily married for 58 years. Sandy says Doug is the nicest person she's ever met. We agree! They had a loving son, Doug Jr. Doug bravely served our country in the Navy aboard a destroyer tender in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. His understanding of the human condition made him a natural leader---and a beloved friend. With a love of mystery and archaeology, Dad was an avid metal detector and was known to occasionally volunteer on a dig. Back from the war, he found a way to make a living from his treasure hunting passion: he started his own antique business---"The Time Machine", which paved the way for what is now known as Antique Row in downtown Tacoma. Doug's eyes really twinkled when his grandsons, Ben and Andrew Bassett, were anywhere near. He loved and cared for them dearly. Life isn't always easy, but Doug's warm, always-on sense of humor made the best of any situation---even darker times found themselves magically brightened by his smile, sarcasm, and effortless wit. He made life fun. He lived a beautiful life, and left a lasting legacy. (Taken from News Tribune (Tacoma) obituary written by his son, Doug.)Sandra Gail Hutchinson Oliver 1942 -2021
Sandra Hutchinson Oliver was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on Oct. 17, 1942 and died peacefully on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 78 years old. She lived most of her life as a resident of the Tacoma area with her loving husband of 29 years, Fremont A. Oliver, who has survived her. She was blessed with family, which included 2 siblings, Russ (Maria), Gilda (Jack) and 2 children, Lori (Mike) , Rob (Angie), 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and others she would adopt of the heart, bing called "Mom and Grandma Sandy." She made lifelong friends of her neighbors and Sorority Siisters. Sandy enjoyed raising and growing her family and making memories together.Susan Rose Rayley Suhre
Susan Rose (Rayley) Suhre was born May 1, 1942 and passed on December 17, 2021 in Tacoma after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was preceded in death by her mother Elaine Parks and father Donald Rayley. Susan was born in Tacoma and raised in the Lakewood area where she lived and raised her family. She gradated from Clover Park High School. She met her loving husband Edwin Suhre while working at Madigan. They were married for 55 years until his death in 2015. She leaves behind two children Steven (Priscilla) and Stacie (Dan), four grandchildren Joshua, Courtnie, Ashly, and Christopher, as well as six great grandchildren. She also leaves behind one brother Michael Hoffman (Debbie).
Susan worked for Clover Park School District for over 30 years. One of her greatest joys was seeing former students while out in the community. They loved her and she loved them! She was caring and giving, always putting others first. Shee will be missed beyond measure. (From - Mountainview Funeral Home obituaries.)
Bill Gretler
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Occupation: | Cable Installation Company Owner |
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Comment:
My wife of 28 years, Mary-Ellen, and I live in the Point Loma section of beautiful San Diego. She is a retired school teacher. I have been in Cable TV sales for many years and now am the owner of a Cable Marketing and Installation Company with locations in Texas and California The best part of the job occurs when they pay me to stay away. |
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| Are you retired?: | I get paid to stay away. |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | no |
Lowell Halverson
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | lawyer, artist |
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Comment:
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| Are you retired?: | Never |
| How many grandchildren do you have?: | 6 |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | 80 miles NE |
Barbara Blandford Helm (Blandford)
Then
Now
| Comment: I was student at Clover Park in my senior year of 1960. |
Stephen Hurlbut
| Marital status: | Single |
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| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | Retired (truck driver) |
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Comment:
Keeping a low profile in the Midland area of Pierce County. Retired in 2005 from 40-yrs of driving fuel tankers in the Puget Sound area. I own an RV and a diesel truck and enjoy camping with my kids and grandkids. Hello to all my former classmates. Live long and be well! |
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| Are you retired?: | Yes |
| How many grandchildren do you have?: | 4 |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | Yes |
Robert Kodis
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Occupation: | Retired |
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Comment:
Ran accross this while surfing the net. I am now retired, just over a year. Spent 30 years in the USAF and retired as a Chief Master Sargent. Then spent 20 years in Civil Service for the Air Force. Assigned to Germany, England, Italy, Greenland and several statside bases. Have two children ages 41 and 38. Married over 46 years this year. Avid bicyclist. Loving life. |
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| Are you retired?: | Yes |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | No |
Judy Longstreth (Osborne)
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | College Instructor |
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Comment:
Classmates, I am so excited to see all of you again. Rich and I have spent the past 17 years in the Seattle area. Luckily our daughter and her family live nearby us, and our son and his family are in Spokane. We are enjoying our seven grandchildren as they grow, go through school, do sports, and learn to waterski. What a joy! In other hours, Rich and I are both working part-time. Once I retired in 2003 from being an elementaey school principal, I took a job with the Central Washington University branch in Seattle instructing in the CWU School of Education. After 17 wonderful years at CWU working with student teachers and teaching various teacher education classes, I retired again. CWU kept me in the schools, which I loved, and it was rewarding to assist my students as they prepared for their certification. I also taught courses that lead undergrads and practicing teachers to an endorsement in teaching |
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| How many grandchildren do you have?: | 7 |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | No |
Sherry Machen
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | psychologist |
| Comment: Thanks for the website! So much nicer than Classmates.com. Amazing what changes we've experienced these past 50 years. I feel like I've lived several lifetimes. The first was as an Army brat, always moving. I return to Clover Park because it's the only place in the world where I can find people who (might) remember me. (Also I have a best friend who coincidentally lives in Steilacoom.) I lived my second life as a mom (two sons -- Brian, a pilot with Delta, and Tim, with Hed Cycling and one of the best amateur cyclists in MN) and housewife (marriage ended in 1985) and forever returning student. Only Ms. Palin has outdone me in the number of colleges attended. But I finally finished with a Ph.D. from the U. of MN the year I turned 50. This last and happiest lifetime has been spent mainly as a licensed psychologist in private practice, and most recently as partner and wife of Bob Ostergaard, a fellow therapist, hiker, biker (cyclist) and seeker in life. I'm looking forward to seeing classmates missed in 1985 and 2005, and I'm still grateful for some of the teachers I had at Clover Park, especially Chas. Croasdill, Lillian Gibson and Paul Wagley. | |
| Are you retired?: | Not all the way. |
| How many grandchildren do you have?: | 6 step grandchildren |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | I've lived near Minneapolis, MN since 1976. |
Steve Malm
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Lawyer |
| Comment: Graduated from Whitman College and Willamette University College of Law following high school. Have practiced law in Portland, Oregon since then in varying capacities. | |
| Are you retired?: | No |
| How many grandchildren do you have?: | Two |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | No |
Jim March
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | IT Consulting |
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Comment:
Greetings All! I am still in the same home in Grass Valley after 12-1/2 years -- longest time in one place since CPHS! I'm mostly retired, but still take consulting gigs as they come along. Majority of time is volunteer teaching at the local Computer Learning Center. There, we teach both seniors, and workplace re-entrants how to use their PCs, and some slightly more esoteric topics (Currently teaching how to build a home PC network). Beginning to do some traveling - Just returned from a 20 day trip to New Zealand and Australia, 16 of those days on a cruise ship. Next major trip will be to Texas to visit son, Doug, and grandkids. Looking forward to the August gathering. |
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| Are you retired?: | Semi |
| How many grandchildren do you have?: | 4 |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | No |
Renee Paine (Dennis)
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | teacher |
| Comment: I am looking forward to seeing everyone and exploring who you are today. I spend my time gardening and boating. After graduating UPS I taught elementary school in Tacoma Public Schools. I've been a Pierce Co, Master Gardener for 27 years and head up the MG Demonstration Garden in Puyallup. I have been a boater since I met my husband Terry (Lincoln, 1960) in 1968. We own the 1920 schooner Red Jacket and spend most of every summer on her. | |
| Are you retired?: | yes, years ago |
| How many grandchildren do you have?: | 4 |
| Do you live in the greater Tacoma area?: | yes, same house for last 42 years |