Roger Dean Earles, age 68, a lifetime resident of Sedro-Woolley passed away Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.
Dean was born in Seattle, Washington on January 28, 1943 to Roger and Mae Earles.
He moved to the Samish River area north of Sedro-Woolley when he was 9 months old to live with his aunt Hazel and uncle Eph. He attended school, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School with the Class of 1961. Dean married Mary Sue Trimble, and they had three daughters, Heather, Allison, and Erin. He was employed at Skagit Steel as a welder for many years and was a member of Ironworkers Union Locals 505 and 86. Dean was married to Penny Jo Ireland in the 1980’s. He later went to work in Honolulu and then Johnson Island in the Pacific as an iron worker. In 2005, he married Casey Kaaland and they made their home in Sedro-Woolley.
In retirement, he began making iron garden art and traveled to many arts and crafts festivals with his sculptures. Dean’s family meant the world to him and time spent with them was his favorite activity. He especially loved watching the Mariners play or fishing on the Skagit River. He spent many a day on the river in his boat with a fishing pole in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. Fish on!
Dean is survived by his wife, Casey Earles of Sedro-Woolley; his daughters, Heather Pitman and her husband Jeff of Birdsview and Erin Earles of Lyman; his brother, Michael Earles, of Seattle; a son-in-law, Ed Clark of Sedro-Woolley; former son-in-law, Paul Swortz; step-son, Rick Kaaland of Sedro-Woolley; step-daughters, Teri Blanton of Sedro-Woolley, Nicole Newell of Day Creek, and Tobi Cook, of California; six grandchildren, Jessie Pitman, Orin Pitman, Logan Clark, Hannah Clark, Madeline Swortz, Emily Swortz; future grandson-in-law, Nick Rosenstein; two great grandchildren, Lorenzo and Miette Rosenstein; and his brother in spirit, Perry Johnson, of Mount Vernon. He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter, Allison Clark.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 3:00PM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Jim Cannon officiating, with a reception to follow at the Eagles.
Casey and family,
Don’t know if you remember me, but I knew Dean through his sister and brother-in-law, Ben and Mary Trimble. Harry and I were friends with Mary’s family (the Trimble’s).
So sorry to read that you lost your husband at such a young age. I didn’t know about his passing or know that he was sick and certainly didn’t know you had married Dean, until I ran across and read his obituary. I am very sad Casey to know you have lost the love of your life.
We lived down the rode from you and Ron on Cockreham Island Road. I now live in Fort Worth TX. I sold my place there on the island signed off on October 30 2009. I don’t hear much news from there, so this was all sad news to me. Having been through this, I know what you are going through and my heart goes out to you and your family.
I know you will miss Dean, and hopefully you have lots of memories that can make you strong. He will be looking down and watching over you I’m sure. Our thoughts and prayers are with you dear.
Send me an e-mail if you read this and get a chance. barbsnell@gmail.com
I would love to hear from you if you have time to drop me a line.
Barb Snell & family
Dear Casey and family
I’m so sorry for your loss. I never got to meet your husband, but I know that since he picked you for his Love, he must have been a very special person. My thoughts are with you and your family.
My condolences to the Earl family for the loss of your loved one. I went to school with Dean. He was a very nice person. I was saddened to hear that he passed. God bless you and keep you, in Jesus Christ name. I wish all of you well.
with kind regards,
Brad L. Shepherd, Sr.
Deano, I have a life full of memories of you and yours. I hope the good Lord allows me to remember them all.
To Dean’s daughters
As you know your father was a great guy.
I knew Dean thru him participating at the Clear Lake Bazaar.
He was always the first one on the day of the sale to set up.
He was always happy.
I share in your sorrow.
Peggy Suryan
Casey and family,
Dean was my childhood friend and neighbor, a young boy on his pony, wearing a coon skin hat and shorts.
Images of him warm my heart. Reconnecting after too many years have passed was a time I was so looking forward to. We have traveled far in our journey, yet we still see the children we once were. Feeling his joy to be together again with class mates will remain a favored memory.
Dean is one of a kind and I will miss him.
May you be comforted by all who love him.
Pat (Loney) Williams
To the Earles,
I am sending my deepest sympathy. Dean will always be thought of as my brother-in-law. He took us fishing on the skagit river, started us skiing. So many memories! camping at baker lake, riding horses at the big house. “Deano” will be truly missed.
Love ,
Vickie, Mike, and Natasha
Dear Casey and Family, I was so very happy to get reacquainted with Dean over the 4th. He was a neighbor, classmate and very good friend. My wife, Nanci bought 3 birds from him a couple of years ago and we will cherish them always, in fact he told us how to care from them at the 4th breakfast. We covered 50 years in mere hours. I am so very glad Dean and I had that opportunity. Sorry I couldn’t have met you.
Dean will remain in my heart and mind forever.
Gary Sackman
Shawnee, OK
Casey and Family,
We are sorry for your loss. We are so glad that we were able to visit with Dean
before his terrible accident. We all had so many stories to share of our school days.
Dean was a big part of our lives and we all miss his smiling face.
John and Toni Keene
To the Earles Family,
On behalf of Harry Weatherby, our family sends our deepest sympathy and are so saddened by the passing of Dean. Dean was a special friend and neighbor to Harry (Dad) and he will be missed. I am fortunate to have one of his garden art sculptures.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers,
Sue Knowlton
Dear Casey and Family-
I am so sorry for your loss- It is with great sorrow that I write these words. It was such fun reconnecting with Dean at our reunion meetings. Many friends share your grief and will miss him greatly. I hope you can feel comfort in the memories you treasure of Dean.
A fellow classmate of 1961
Karen
To the Earles and extended family members,
I am so sorry for your loss! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. As I have reflected these last few days on my memories of Dean, one thing stands out beyond all others and that is Deans laugh. It brings a smile to my face just to think of it. I will miss him!
Stacey Olsen
Casey, Family and Friends,
My heart is with you.
If there is anyway I can help, even if it is just a shoulder, let me know.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Dean was a jewel. He will be missed, and rememberec often.
Love from
The Rigacci Clan
Mike, Nancy & Ashley
Dearest Casey and family,
We are here for you any time you need us, for anything.
We will miss our friend, but will never forget him. He was one of a kind…precious.
Love,
Robin and Kaye