Elmer Jesse Harry

ELMER JESSE HARRY October 7, 1925 ~ January 29, 2016 Elmer Jesse Harry, 90, of Battle Ground, WA, passed away on January 29, 2016. Elmer was born October 7, 1925 in Vancouver, Washington, to Evert and Olive Harry, and was a life-long resident of Clark County. In the fall of 1937, as a 7th grader, Elmer began attending Orchards Grade School, and years later recalled noticing "a smart and class-leading girl known as Lois Campbell." Elmer and Lois subsequently attended Shumway Junior High and Vancouver High School, graduating as school friends in 1943. Elmer served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and trained as a flight officer. Later, while attending Oregon State College, he reconnected with Lois, and after discovering their love for each other, married on August 6, 1948, enjoying a loving relationship of almost 68 years. Elmer is survived by Lois and five of their six children, Kathy, David, Steven, Susan and Lee. Daughter Nancy pre-deceased Elmer in 2014. Also surviving are Elmer's brothers, Raymond and Wayne Harry, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elmer began working for the telephone company in 1949 as an installer, lineman, and central office equipment repairman. Later, he spent 15 years as a property appraiser for Clark County, retiring in 1987. Elmer and Lois spent their retirement years traveling in the U.S. visiting national parks and the homes of their children and extended families. Using his lifelong carpentry and handyman skills, Elmer could often be found building or remodeling the homes of his children and friends. Lovingly crafted and expertly built furniture and creations turned on his lathe fill the family homes. When Elmer and Lois lived near Yacolt, he could often be found fishing for steelhead on the East Fork Lewis River. Over the years he enjoyed various farming and gardening pursuits. In recent years, he continued nurturing plants and feeding the birds and squirrels in the backyard of their Battle Ground home. Surrounded by Lois and his loving family, Elmer left us to join his daughter Nancy, brother Russell, grandson Vince, and favorite basset hound Gracie. We imagine that they are all hugging and visiting whenever Elmer takes a break from his fishing and woodworking. If anyone wishes to make a gift in Elmer's memory, the family suggests considering: the American Lung Association , the Humane Society, or the Macular Degeneration Partnership at AMD.org. Services will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens at 12:30 p.m., Friday February 5th, 1101 N.E. 112th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684. Please join us in sharing memories. Please sign Elmer's Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.

Elmer Jesse Harry

October 7, 1925 - January 29, 2016