Bud Emery

Bud R. Emery, 97, died March 5, 2010 in Federal Way, Washington where he had resided the past 35 years. The son of Cecil and Pearl (Danner) Emery, he was born in Newport, Oregon on June 8, 1912. His parents died when he was a child and he was raised by his grandparents. At age 15 he fibbed about his age to become a cabin boy on a lumber schooner plying coastal waters. Over the ensuing years he worked in the maritime industry in various capacities including being employed on ocean-going tug boats, as chief warrant officer on a US Army mine planter, on fish delivery vessels for Columbia River Packers Association out of Astoria, and finally for the US Army Corps of Engineers as chief engineer on various coastal dredges. Over the years his employment took him to Newport, Tillamook, North Bend, Astoria, Portland and Panama. He was proud to have been one of the first chief engineers to hold both steam and diesel licenses and he served as secretary for the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. On a blind date in Tillamook he met Clara Hyrkas, a "true Finn" from Deep River, Washington. Three days later they were married in Newport. Bud built a residence in the Salmon Creek area east of Naselle and over the years both he and Clara returned to the area every chance they got to stay and keep in contact with family and friends. Bud became a member of Temple Lodge No. 7 AF&AM of Astoria in 1938 was proud to be a 33 degree Mason and a member of Nile Temple of the Shrine. After moving to Federal Way he became a founding member of Sunshine Methodist Church. He was self-taught playing the piano and enjoyed golf. Blessed with a great sense of humor, Bud was impeccably honest, was always available to help family and friends in need, was devoted to his family and was especially proud of his marriage to Clara, a union of 77 years until her death in 1997. Bud is survived by his daughter Anne Anderson of Mount Vernon, WA; grandchildren Julie Cederberg, Sandra Kocik and Tom Emery; daughter-in-law Gail Emery; nephew Kevin Dwyer; niece Terry Dwyer; and other members of his extended family. Besides his wife, Bud was preceded in death by his son Dennis and daughter Geraldine. Graveside service and burial in the Hyrkas family plot will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010, 1:00 PM at Salmon Creek Cemetery in Naselle, with Pastor Cliff Weimer and Masonic brethren conducting the service. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.