Harry Easley Jr

L. Harry Easley Jr., 75, died April 7, 2008 at his Ocean Park residence following a lengthy battle with cancer. His family was with him at the end of his physical life. Born in Hannibal, Missouri on October 1, 1932, he was the son of Lilburn Easley and Madeline Elgin. He grew up in Hannibal where he graduated from Hannibal High School in 1950. He served with the United States Air Force from December of 1951 until May of 1953 and was a member of the Air Force Reserve until 1959. His military duty complete Harry settled in Rock Island, Illinois where he was a deputy sheriff for Rock Island County from December 1954 until July 1957. Moving to California he settled in Anaheim where he became a member of the Anaheim Police Department beginning in November 1957. He served as a police officer, detective, sergeant, watch commander and bureau commander until retirement in January 1986. Harry obtained an associate degree in police science from Fullerton Junior College in 1971 and a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice-law enforcement from California State University, Long Beach, in 1976. Harry settled on the Long Beach Peninsula 22 years ago. He was a partner with his wife Janet operating Easley Information Service for 10 years and for four years was a tourism counselor at the Megler Tourist Information Center. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview, member and past president of the Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce, member and past board member of the Pacific County Economic Development Council, past member of the Lower Columbia Naval Task Force and a twenty year member of Ocean Park Eagles 3602. Perhaps Harry's most impressive accomplishment was his service to the American Legion. In 1986 he became a member of Don R. Grable Post No. 48 in Ilwaco. There he served as sergeant at arms, second vice commander, first vice commander and commander. On the state level he served as District 10, Department of Washington, commander; Area II vice commander; state commander in 1996; and alternate national executive committeeman 1997-99. He was national vice commander of the American Legion, 1999-2000. In addition, Harry served for five years with the American Legion's National Law and Order Committee, served three years with the American Legion Evergreen Boys State and for over 20 years was in charge of the Derald Robertson Safety Awards Program for Don R. Grable Post He took great pride in his service to the Legion and was a mentor to the next generation of Legion leadership. Harry enjoyed watching old movies for the 1930s and 40s, read and closely followed military history, enjoyed traveling throughout the US and Europe, was a talented public speaker and wordsmith, and he and his wife Janet read books to each other. Harry was blessed with a sense of humor and was proud of his career and accomplishments, and was a "genuinely nice guy". He and Janet Eggleston were married June 16, 1973 in Anaheim, California. She survives. Also surviving are grandchildren David Easley (Tina) and Jonathan Easley. His son Elgin preceded him in death. Recitation of The Rosary will be Monday, April 14, 2008, 7 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview, WA. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 15, 11 AM also at St. Mary's. A luncheon reception follows. Concluding rites with military honors will be Wednesday, April 16, 2:30 PM at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Those wishing may make memorials to the American Legion in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Share a memory, sign the guestbook at www.penttilaschapel.com.