Lt. Commander Elmer C. Howe, Ret., died June 22, 2005 in Olympia on his 89th birthday after a long struggle with cancer.

He was born in Tacoma on June 22, 1916, the first child born to Arthur and Helen Howe. Elmer enjoyed sports and band during his education in Tacoma schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1934. He entered the Navy after working several jobs, which included caddying at Fircrest Golf and Country Club. Elmer served on many ships during World War II and ended his naval career at the Pentagon.

Elmer met his first wife Doris (Ruling) while stationed in San Francisco where they lived on naval bases until his retirement in Pacifica, Calif. Elmer worked for the San Francisco School District for 10 years, then retired and returned to the Northwest to build his retirement home near Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. After Doris passed away, Elmer was introduced to his second wife, Jeannette O’Grady, who shared his love of gardening, golf, crabbing and bridge playing. They moved to Panorama City in Lacey, Wash., where they enjoyed golfing, community living, and visiting with family and friends.

Elmer was preceded in death by both Doris and Jeannette. Survivors include his sisters, Dorothy Mehner and Eloise (Mitch) Washburn, and brother Marvin (Beatta) Howe. He also leaves his step-children Katy O’Grady, John (Debbie) O’Grady, Pat (Frenda) O’Grady, as well as nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Services will be held Wednesday, July 13 at Panorama City’s Garden Room at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Panorama Benevolent Fund.