Gary Lee Dompier, 63, a 33-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at his home in Oak Harbor Jan. 12, 2005. He was born April 16, 1941, in Prosser, to Bertran A. “Bert” and Vivian L. (Day) Dompier.

Gary attended Grandview schools and graduated in 1959. He entered the U.S. Navy following graduation and proudly served his country for 20 years. He retired Aug. 24, 1979, as a yeoman chief petty officer (E-7), spending his last four years at NAMTRADET, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Gary and his partner Bob Cook owned and operated B & G Handyman, home and office repairs. Together, they operated that business for more than 24 years. Gary loved facing new challenges and meeting people. Gary loved hunting, fishing, crabbing and camping with his family.

Gary is survived by his wife of 25 years, Donna, at the family home, Oak Harbor; by their combined family of seven children and their spouses: Bobbi and Rich Rodgers of Oak Harbor; Robert Soule of Victorville, Calif.; Brenda and Christopher Marti of Coupeville; Pamela Paraski of Dover, N.H.; Lynnette and Patrick Baily of Oak Harbor; Tony Dompier of Sarasota, Fla., and Jen and Steve Miller of San Diego, Calif.

Gary is also survived by his father and stepmother Bert and Jean Dompier of Kenmore; by four sisters, two brothers and their spouses: Kay and Frank Klashke of Selah; Cheryl and Gary Devoe of Grandview; Bobbie and Chet Hartley of Everett; Jackie Dompier of Bothell; Jack and Stephanie Dompier of Issaquah, and Rich and Raeann Dompier of Kirkland. Thirteen grandchildren: Ben Rodgers of Springfield, Va., and Ryan Togstad-Rodgers of Oak Harbor; Jonathan and Emily Marti of Coupeville; Kaylee Soule of Saraland, Ala., Austin Soule, Tyler Soule and Kirsti Armstrong, all of Hesperia, Calif.; Andy and Ben Paraski, both of Dover, N.H.; Cori and Cameron Baily of Oak Harbor and Kyla Miller of San Diego, Calif. also survive. His mother Vivian Roberts preceded him in death in 1989, and stepfather Phil Roberts in 1979.

Gary enjoyed being a part of his 13 grandchildren’s lives. You could find grandpa and grandma at their concerts and sports games. Gary enjoyed teaching them the joys of boating, fishing and crabbing, plus just being there when they needed him. Gary kept close contact with his first cousins Gail Beck, Jerry Dompier, Rose Woodall and four aunts, Ethel Sinclair, “Babe” Peterson, Velma Moran and Phyllis Cooper and four uncles, Woody, Fred, Lenn, and Robert Dompier and their families and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gary’s wish was to be cremated. His cremated remains will be buried at sea with full military honors, under the auspices of the U. S. Navy. Gary lost a long battle with lung cancer after 30 years of smoking, even after quitting nine years ago. For many years he volunteered for Relay for Life, including participating from a wheel chair. He tried to get others to quit smoking, as he knew smoking as a crippler and killer. It was a terrible death.

A celebration of the life of Gary Dompier will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.