Wayne Neil West, 78, passed away in Mount Vernon, Wash. An avid fisherman, he lived close to the Skagit River for years so he could indulge in his favorite pastime. And it was on that river that he became the state record holder for catching the largest Dolly Varden recorded.

Wayne graduated from Oak Harbor High School, joined the Air Force and married his high school sweetheart, Patti Evelyn Carter, with whom he had four children. In the Air Force, Wayne served in the Tactical Air Command (TAC), the team that goes into an area before the Strategic Air Command squads arrive, in Germany and Libya before returning to the states to serve in Colorado on the crash rescue team.

After discharging from the Air Force, Wayne and his family moved back to Oak Harbor, where he went to work at the Texaco refinery in Anacortes for the next 25-plus years as an accountant.

Wayne lost his youngest son, Dwight, in 1973, and Patti passed in 1986. In 2011, he lost his eldest son, Michael.

Wayne married Sandra, 73, in 1999; it was she who had the honor of living with the mounted Dolly Varden until it was donated to be displayed at Holiday Market. Wayne and Sandy spent the years enjoying their retirement, fishing, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Wayne passed on June 13 and Sandra passed on June 14, less than 24 hours apart from each other.

Wayne is survived by his two daughters, Debra West-Maciaszek and Reba Garcia; his brother, Gary West; his sister, Sharon Porter and husband Kerry; and his four grandchildren, Lisa Swanson, Ian Van Natta, Carla Dawes and Michael West Jr., as well as his nieces and nephews.

Sandra is survived by her daughter Denise, her granddaughter Krista, five of her eight siblings and a great-grandchild due in July 2017.

There will be no memorial service. Wayne and Sandra’s ashes will be scattered on the Skagit River.

Wayne West