Edwin Irving Lavender

A memorial service will be held at Orcas Island Community Church on Saturday, July 14, at 1:30 p.m. for Orcas resident Edwin Irving Lavender. Mr. Lavender, age 92, died June 8, 2007 at Changing Seasons Adult Family Home in Kirkland, Washington.

Born June 27, 1914 in Deer Harbor to James T. and Louise Loos Lavender, he was the second of seven children to grow up on Orcas during the teens and 20s.

Mr. Lavender graduated from high school on Orcas and lived there until the start of World War II, when he enlisted in the Army. His first assignment was with a cavalry unit, however later he joined the paratroopers and was part of the Allied Forces invasion in France. His time in the military gave him a lifelong love of aircraft and flying, and he later obtained a pilot’s license and flew small aircraft for pleasure.

After returning from military service he married the former Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Cucksey in November of 1949 and settled on Orcas working as a truck driver, a boat yard worker, and a carpenter. He loved gardening and spent time in his later years tending the gardens at the old Senior Center. He also loved the water and enjoyed taking many off-island friends and family on boat outings to neighboring islands.

Mr. Lavender is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Richard Boone, and granddaughter Katherine Boone of Kirkland, a sister, Mary Sanders, of San Leandro, Calif., a brother, Tom Lavender, of Pt. Orchard, and seven nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts may be made to Orcas Island Community Church or the Orcas Island Historical Museum.