RADM John D. McCubbin, USCG (Ret) John, age 94, passed away peacefully November 3, 2008, at his home in Steilacoom, WA. Born in Wichita, KS, John was raised in Dallas. TX. After graduating from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1939, he served as an Ensign aboard the USCG Cutter Taney in Honolulu, HI. In 1942, after completing naval flight training at Pensacola, FL, he was assigned to anti-submarine warfare duty, flying out of Greenland during WWII. He served in operational and command positions in search and rescue at Port Angeles, WA, Elizabeth City, NC, Kodiak, AK, Barbers Point, HI, San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC. While serving as Chief of Staff for the 17th Coast Guard District in Juneau, AK, he was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1969. He was then assigned as Chief, Office of Reserve for the Coast Guard in Washington, DC, receiving honors as Minute Man of the Year by the Reserve Officers Association. His final assignment was Commander, 8th Coast Guard District, New Orleans, LA. On June 30, 1973, Admiral McCubbin retired after more than 45 years in uniform, including 34 years of commissioned service. His many personal decorations include the Legion of Merit and Air Medals. Admiral McCubbin was much admired by servicemen of all ranks. An extremely generous and kind man, he was highly regarded for his integrity, devotion to duty and outstanding strength of character. A man loved by all who knew him, especially his family, he will be dearly missed. As he often said, “I’ve had a good life, thanks to the people who helped me”. John was preceded in death by Margaret Budd of Summit, NJ, his wife of 48 years. He is survived by wife Mary Frances, children John D. McCubbin, Jr. of San Francisco, CA and Sandy (Richard) Sander of Seattle, WA, sisters June Wergin of San Antonio, TX and Margaret McCubbin of Sacramento, CA and granddaughters Christina and Katherine Sander. A celebration of John’s life will be held at Little Church on the Prairie, 6310 Motor Ave. SW, Lakewood, WA on Friday, November 21, at 11 AM. Burial with full military honors will follow at Arlington National Cemetery next year. Remembrances are suggested for USCG Academy Alumni Assn., 47 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320, CG Aviation Assn. (Pterodactyls), POEBox 222905, Chantilly, VA 20153, or Little Church on the Prairie.
Kathleen May Bugni. 5-30-30 to 11-13-08 Finally free to be with her loved ones. Survived by loving cousin Joni, Brother Donald, and many friends. She will be truly missed. Per Kathy’s request, no service will be held.
William Fredrick Wittman. “Uncle Bill” Of Tacoma passed away on Nov. 11th, 2008 at the age of 81. Funeral Services will be held at Mt. View Valley Chapel on Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 2008 at 3pm. Uncle Bill-Enjoy your new life. We miss you. Thanks to staff and friends at Northwest Retirement Center.
Lyn Olga Kirchberg Bonfoey. Born October 8, 1943, a resident of Sumner, passed away on November 12, 2008 surrounded by her family. Lyn, loving wife, mother and grandmother, was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Olga Arnold and brother Denis Arnholtz. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Don Bonfoey, sons Mike Schultz, Mark Schultz, Matt Kirchberg, and daughter Monica Schultz. She will be forever missed by her ten grandchildren, and held in the hearts of her family and friends whose lives she has touched. Services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home (253-584-0252) in Tacoma on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 11:00am in the Garden Chapel. A reception will follow at the residence of Mike and Dana Schultz.
Leona Glendora Marson (Seeley). Of Lakewood went home to be with her Lord, Saturday November 8, 2008 at the age of 83. Lee married Richard, (Dick) Marson in 1943 and they enjoyed 32 years of marriage until his death in 1975. Lee was Dick’s partner in many successful business ventures, and possessed great entrepreneurial wisdom. After being single many years, she remarried the late Donald H. Seeley of Lakewood in 1993. Until her death Lee was employed in her son-in-law’s business, C.A. Heath Roofing & Home Improvements. Lee is survived by her daughter and husband, Conrad & Lynda (Marson) Heath, Tiffany (Heath) Gold and Tarryn Heath, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Isajah Gold all of Tacoma. Join us for a memorial service Wednesday, November 19th, 11:00 am at Abundant Life Fellowship, 5917 So. Thompson Ave., Tacoma, WA.
Wallace Alexander Seymour. Nov. 22, 1927 – Nov. 13, 2008 Surrounded by family, Wally passed away on November 13, 2008. As was his nature he displayed courage and determination to the very end. Born in Mineral, Washington to Henry and Lola Seymour, he graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Pugh. They had five children. Wally was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mary, and their oldest son Dan. He is survived by his sister Laurel Nichols of Seaside, Oregon, daughter Christine Seymour, sons Ron and his wife Chelly, Tom and his wife Carolyn, and Larry and his wife Jill, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by Mary’s sister, Betty Gjurash. A man of honor and integrity, he served in the Army from March 9, 1946 to April 7, 1947. He joined the Tacoma Police Department in 1949 and retired as a Captain on August 5, 1977. Over those years, officers who worked with him and their families became part of an extended family that enjoyed professional, recreational, and family activities together. In his retirement he became a leader in Washington State AARP, where he made many new friends with whom he stayed in contact. Outside of his police work he was a loving father, husband, coach, and friend to all he met. A baseball coach from the time his oldest son Dan could hold a bat, he had the ability to make every player feel important and successful. As adults he was the foundation of a family team that played together for 10 years before he decided to play with kids his own age and joined a senior league that he enjoyed until age 71. Wally was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing, hunting and camping (no matter what the weather). He was a musician and an artist. Leader of a family ‘band’ we all spent many hours around the piano playing the various instruments we had learned. He took up oil painting and specialized in painting the trains that originally brought logs out of Mineral where he grew up and later became historical scenic trains for visitors to experience a taste of the past. Wally spent his last days at Heartwood Extended Health Center, and the family would like to express their sincere thanks to the wonderful care they provided as well as to Franciscan Hospice. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at St. John of the Woods Catholic Church, 9903 24th Ave. E., Tacoma, WA 98445. Rosary at 10:30am, Funeral Mass 11:00am. A luncheon immediately follows the mass at the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
The above listed obituary was arranged by Mountain View Funeral Home. Sign the online guest book. 253-584-0252.