Clarence Vernon Gunsolus was born September 4, 1926, in Salida, Colorado, to Clarence Clinton and Clarine Pearl Gunsolus, Vern passed away on September 7, 2014, at his home on Mercer Island, Washington. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Marianne Hart Gunsolus.

As a child, Vern moved frequently. His fondest childhood memories are of living on the North Fork of the Shoshone River near Cody, Wyoming. Their house was a primitive cabin built by his father. With no electricity Vern and his two sisters had to study by the light of an oil lamp. “Running water” was when he ran to the river with a bucket and hauled it back to the cabin. He grew up hiking, fishing, hunting and exploring in the area. He spent many vacations in this area with his family, sharing his love for Yellowstone Park, trout fishing and climbing Window rock.

Vern was a WWII vet, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp 65th Fighting Squadron stationed on Shemya Island, Alaska. Crew members had to volunteer for duty at the camp and Vern, deciding the cook shack would be the warmest place, gladly took on the cooking duties for his squadron. He and the other serviceman played poker with the meal rations and Vern had a reputation for consistently winning extra steaks for his crew. He continued to play poker with a group of friends from his office and playing up until a month before his death. He will be missed by his poker buddies, who always said that when “Vern was raising, everyone was running”.

In 1945 he met his future wife, Marianne in Bozeman, Montana. Marianne was on a rotation for nursing school and Vern was undergoing Army Air Corps training. Typically shy, Vern was so taken by Marianne that he actually cut in on a dance in order to meet her. They were married in Billings, MT, on December 28, 1947, and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past year.

Thanks to the G.I. Bill, Vern graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Administrative Engineering. In 1951 Protection Mutual Insurance Company of Chicago, Illinois recruited him right out of college. Vern spent his entire career with the company and found his niche in sales, where he handled accounts across the Pacific Northwest and Canada. He retired in 1992 and was a member of the company’s Silver Key Club.

In 1970, after assignments in Chicago and Dallas, the company relocated Vern and his family to Seattle. Vern and Marianne were both happy to be back in the west and made many lifelong friends here. Vern was a gentleman gardener who took pride in growing beautiful dahlias and roses, which he enjoyed gazing at from the kitchen window while taking a break from his morning ritual of reading the Wall Street Journal.

In retirement, Vern and Marianne discovered a love for world travel. Among the many places they enjoyed visiting, New Zealand was their favorite. They also became regular snowbirds, spending most winters in the Palm Desert area.

Vern was a wonderful father and exceptional provider for his family. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. His family will long remember his “Vernisms”, strong work ethic, deep love of family and remarkably gentle spirit. They will raise a glass of his favorite rye whisky, Old Overholt, in his honor.

Vern is survived by his four children, Sherry (Gunsolus) Landrum, James V. Gunsolus (Susan Anderson), Philip H. Gunsolus (Lonni Gunsolus) and Jeanne Gunsolus (Don Paterson); nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and siblings Georgia Mae Negri of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Clarine Ann Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska.

A graveside service will be held in Cody, Wyoming, this October. Donations in his memory may be made to Puget Sound Honor Flight, Attention Donations, P.O. Box 434, Grapeview, WA, 98546.