Oct. 1935-March 2014

Ernest Edward Lashua, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was called home to heaven on March 26, 2014.

Born in Port Townsend, Wash., he would later enlist in the United States Navy and report to his first duty station, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, he proudly served this country for over 20 years. Countless overseas deployments and multiple duty stations never deterred this proud father from total devotion to family and friends.

He returned to the Great Pacific Northwest in 1974, where he would retire from the Navy. Oak Harbor was where his naval career began, and this beautiful city was where he would retire to make the family home.

Ernie would later work for Bellingham Frozen Foods, where he and his wife Barbara spent many of their summers harvesting corn on both sides of the Cascade Mountains.

Ernie loved to work in his wood shop and would donate items to the VFW Auctions and the Hand in Hand Preschool program through the Oak Harbor School District.

Above all else was his love for salmon fishing. Anyone who knew him understood his obsession with trying to catch the elusive king salmon. Whether spending countless hours under the Deception Pass Bridge fishing the “hole,” Fort Casey or Pillar Point, Ernie loved the sport. He spent hours telling family and friends of his adventures on the water and about the one that got away.

Camping and fishing at Baker Lake with family and friends was a close second.

The greatest tribute to Ernie is that he was a loving husband and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. It is the memories he gave to us that will live on forever. The family will miss him, but we will carry him in our hearts.

Ernest leaves behind children Ernest Edward Lashua Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, Debra Green of Perdido Key, Fla., and Randy and LoriAnn Lashua of Oak Harbor; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Kellie and Brian Addison, with sons, Clay and Tyler, of Corpus Christi, Texas; Jamie and James Maldonado, with son, James Jr. and daughter Maya, of Corpus Christi, Texas; Julie Lashua, with daughter Rylan, of Corpus Christi, Texas; Shelbie Lashua, attending Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas; Kristina and Art Salinas, with sons Alex and Ethan, of Battleground, Wash.; Kimberly and Scott Adams, with son Austin and daughters Brianna and Candice, of Battleground, Wash.; Kevin Lashua of Bellingham, Wash.; Kyle Lange of Bellingham, Wash.; Ryan and Henry Lange of Oak Harbor; and sisters Anita Yantz of Port Townsend, Wash., Sally Williams of Seal Beach, Calif., Bernice Secord of Camano Island, Wash., Carol Bergman of Everett, Wash. and Mary Benedict of West Fargo, N.D.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Glenna Smith of Ephrata, Wash., and Jane Burke of Hadlock, Wash.

His constant and loving companion, Bitsy, is at the family home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, the love of his life for 54 years, in 2009.

Services will be private.

Contributions may be made to disabled veterans and Wounded Warriors.