Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
John R. Coward Memorial
John R. Coward Memorial

John R. Coward

John R. Coward

Tuesday, June 30th, 2015

John Raymond Coward “JR” passed away peacefully in his home of over 65 years, holding the hands and surrounded by his caring family, on June 30, 2015.  He was born December 19, 1921 to John and Rhoda (Wood) Coward in Balsam Gap, North Carolina.

John Raymond Coward grew up exploring the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina with his ten siblings. He then defended his country during WWII, serving in the Army while fighting in campaigns throughout the South Pacific from New Zealand, New Guinea and the Philippine Islands.  He was also a longtime member of the American Legion George Baldridge Post 43, in Sedro-Woolley.  John was a dedicated 45 year member of the Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 292 and fought for worker’s rights and benefits. He helped build the dams, power lines, highways, bridges, waterways, and industrial facilities as well as being a logger throughout the Northwest. John was a dedicated family man committed to helping everyone grow and become independent, which is evident by his large extended family and close group of friends. John’s passion in life was fishing the Skagit River.  John married Edith Lyonsmith in Everett in January of 1949.  She passed away in 1989.

He is survived by his son, Michael (Pam) Coward of Kirkland, WA; stepdaughters, Jean Mani of Oso, WA, Doris DeFay of Sedro-Woolley, Paulette (Frank) Blew of Summerville, SC and Elizabeth Cook of Sedro-Woolley; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at the Saxon Cemetery, Acme, WA.  A time of visitation will be available from 9:00 to Noon on Wednesday at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Wildcat Steelhead club or the Disabled American Veterans.

Guestbook

  • Shane Hoskins

    Rest in peace great grandpa. Ill always hold the great memories of my youth dear to my heart. Love and miss you. Give my mother and great grandma a kiss for me.

  • Paul Hoskins

    Nothing but total love and respect for you always!
    Love,
    Paul Hoskins

  • Lauren Blew

    Grandpa –
    Your life story was truly an amazing one. I hope you are greeted openly and warmly by loved ones of the past, and I hope Heaven has some great fishing spots for you and my dad. I love you and I will keep you in my prayers always.

  • Holley Hoskins

    Great Grandpa I have always missed you and wished we could have spent much much more time together through the years but the times we did spend were some of the most special moments of my life. We were all so lucky and proud to have a grandpa like you! We love you soo much and always will! Thank you for always being there and taking special trips to see your great great grand babies born! I wish we could all be around longer so they could have went fishing with you like we got to. You will always be in all of our hearts forever!
    Love,
    Holley and family

  • Sandra (niece), Raymond Jr. and Jonathan Raymond Hall

    We will miss our Uncle Raymond very much and are thankful God made him a part of our family. He always made us smile and feel loved. We look forward to the day we will all be reunited with one another in Heaven.

  • Donna Blew

    My kids, Eric and Lauren were so lucky to have known their Great grandpa.
    For me, it was an honor to have known Shane’s Grandpa as well. .
    Your visits to South Carolina with Tinki will be sorely missed.

    Rest in peace. Donna Blew

  • Gina ballard

    Oh grandpa. I miss you. My childhood & adulthood are filled with grand memories & advice from/with you. Thank you for always being there for me & my family. You never judged our decsions in life good or bad. Everyone needs a grandpa & man like you in their life. Thank you & love you.

  • Jacque Blew Eller

    Goodbye Gramps! I know you’ve found the best fishing spot ever. You’ve left us all with wonderful memories and great stories. Rest well and know we all love you. Love Jacque

  • Heather Blew Graff

    To my grandpa,whom my middle name is for.Absolutely loved your stories.You were a great man.Love, Road Apple.

  • John Ballard Sr

    We had fun hunting in Idaho – we had some great talks together – you will be missed by all – I would loved to have shown you Nome Alaska – we could have fished all day (24 hours of daylight)
    Love to all John

  • Ashley San Diego

    I miss you grandpa as we all do but I’m thankful for all the things you taught me in life. You were someone I looked up to and I still do, you really helped change my life when I came and stayed with you that one summer. You made my fear of chickens ago away, you taught me how to grow a garden, use the giant lawn mower, how to fish, and so much more so thank you for that. Words can’t express how happy I was when you got to meet Bryce, he was so interested in your suspenders when he met you. I love you grandpa and I’ll always miss you but now I know you’re watching over me.

  • Kim Byram

    Great Grandpa,
    You are a treasure to always remember! I will forever be grateful for our fishing trips and long talks about the humongous trees you cut down. Your honesty, integrity and loving nature will be missed more than you know! All my love, Kim and family

  • Tinki Cook

    Missing you pop. But know your in a better place. Are you the one messing with the computer….? Love you Tinkie

  • nieshe neighbors

    Ray was the perfect neighbor to have as kids growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. Playing in the old barn and ringing their doorbell leaving a cut off milk carton full of the best dandelions we could find on may day. We hid around the corner just waiting for them to say loudly they were the most beautiful flowers they had ever seen. When Ray came to Colville a few years back and stop in to see me at my work was the best surprise. Both Edith and Ray were special people in the lives of the Nieshe kids. I will miss the annual Christmas card. Our hearts are sadden by the news of your passing. Your friends, bub, susan, chris and trisha

  • Paulette Blew

    Dear Pops, Know you will be greeted by our Mom,Shane ,brother Bob , all your family who have passed before you plus so many friends. Our hearts are heavy till time takes care of your going to hopefully a better place. I do hope you realized what inspiration you were in all our lives….And the best fisherman I knew! You will so be missed…..with love #3 daughter polly b