EARL T. CHAMNESS, 90, a longtime Concrete area resident passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
Earl was born on April 4, 1915 in Concrete, the son of Oran C. & Ella M. Vanderhof Chamness, and there he was raised and attended school, graduating from Concrete High School.
For several years Earl made his home in San Francisco, CA and from there enlisted into the U.S. Army during WW II. He served with the 28th Army Infantry Division and was part of the 2nd wave of the storming of Normandy Beach, was involved in the Battle of The Bulge and the assault of Hurtgen Forest where over 80% of the troops were lost. Earl was a quick study, and even with out the proper training was able to decipher and decode high speed morris code messages and relay them on.
He was discharged in September of 1945 and returned to Concrete. There at a dance he met Gertrude ‘Trudi’ Lease and they were united in marriage in Reno, Nevada on January 15, 1946. He died just 5 days short of their 60th anniversary.
They made their home in Concrete where Earl worked for Superior/Lone Star Cement in several different capacities over the years. He retired from there in 1969. He then worked in the maintenance department for Seattle City Light until 1980.
He was a very talented musician and could play several instruments, including the banjo, violin, piano, steel guitar and ukulele. Electronics was his hobby and he enjoyed tinkering on and fixing TV’s and operating his short wave radio.
Earl is survived by his wife, Trudi and son, Bill both of Concrete, 2 granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and in 2005 by a son, Elwood James Chamness and a brother, Murray Chamness.
Graveside inurnment services will be held on Monday, January 16, 2006 at 2:00 PM at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete with Pastor Bruce Martin officiating. Military honors will be provided by the George Baldridge Post 43, American Legion. Memorials are suggested to Skagit Hospice.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
