LEWIS EDWARD SPAETH, 73, a longtime Skagit County resident passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2003 at the Burton Care Center in Burlington.
He was born on May 5, 1929 in Spokane, WA, the son of William & Mamie Welliver Spaeth. He was raised and attained his education in Spokane. At the age of 14 he joined the Ringling Brothers Circus, traveling with them for about 3 years. In 1946 he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. After his discharge he returned to the circus, where in 1956 he met and married Jean Kreil in Hugo, OK. The traveled with the George Cole Circus for a while where he was an elephant trainer. In 1959 they settled in Skagit County, making their home in Anacortes, Burlington and Sedro-Woolley. Lewis worked as a shop mechanic at Hinton Olds-GMC, Blade Chevrolet and Frontier Ford, then as a service manager for Wheelhouse R.V. Sales and Security Trailer Sales until his retirement in 1985. He also was an auto mechanic instructor at Skagit Valley College for a while.
Lewis enjoyed playing horseshoes and bowling, he also enjoyed flying remote controlled airplanes and was a member of the RC-Skagit County Club. He also was an avid CB operator, known by fellow operators as ‘The Bullman’. He also had the distinction of being classified as a Tophatter and was a member of the CB club called The Dummy Club of Everett.
He is survived by his wife Jean at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Clay & Dena Spaeth of Cypress, CA, Bruce & Susie Spaeth of Mount Vernon, WA and Mark & Ruth Spaeth of Concrete, WA. 1 daughter and son-in-law, Tena & Doug Brown of Sedro-Woolley, WA. 7 grandchildren, Patricia, Timmy, Jake and Sarah Spaeth, Nick Bullard, Cassie Dalgliesh and Mack Brown. 2 step-grandchildren, Becky Lindsey and Joe Brown. 2 sisters and brothers-in-law, Darlene & Bob Kirby of Oroville, CA and Florence & Roger Spenbock of Canby, OR. Also numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Lawrence Spaeth. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Burton Care Center for their loving care during Lewis’ stay. There will be no funeral services and the family suggests memorials be made to Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box C5371, Seattle, WA 98105. Cremation and arrangements under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share thoughts of Lewis and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com