Chester Chet Clifford Holloway

Chet was born near Ontario, OR on May 16, 1931. Throughout his childhood he lived in Bremerton, McCleary, and Vancouver, WA. In 1947 Chet enlisted in the Army; his first assignment was Germany and later Japan in support of the Korean War. He met and married Betty, his wife of over 50 yrs., in 1953 while stationed at Ft. Lawton. After spending a year in Thule, Greenland, the young couple then spent the next several years traveling from post to post from Alaska to Alabama; from Maryland to California, and points in between while also raising a large family.

During his 22 yrs. of military service, Chet worked as Ordnance Officer, Electronics Specialist, Maintenance and Repair/ Nike Hercules-Ajax Nuclear Guidance Systems. Upon his retirement in 1968, Chet was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for meritorious service as a nuclear weapons instructor in the nuclear training directorate of US Field Command, Defense Atomic Support Agency at Sandia Base, NM.

Chet moved his family to Seattle, WA where he began working for the University of Washington as a vertical engineer (elevator maintenance and repair); retiring once again in 1990.

Chet's hobbies? Just about anything outdoors from camping to sports, gardening, cruising, building, repairing, as well as cooking, reading maps, canning, and enjoying his music and his wife. He delighted in challenging projects which combined the physical and the intellectual. He showed his love by making things and doing things for his family and friends. He once told us what a wonderful life he'd had; having done just about everything he'd ever wanted to do.

Chet is survived by his wife Betty; seven children, Pat Benson of Camano Island, Betty Kahler of Everett, David of Edmonds, Dan of Mukilteo, Kitty Lingafelter of Shoreline, Lorraine Hamilton of Lake Stevens, and Larry of Bremerton; 15 grandchildren, Shannon, Jody, Allyson, Alicia, Corey, Jacob, Brian, Blair, Taylor, Isaac, Lacey, Patrick, David, Luu-Van, and Luu-Vu; five great grandchildren, Brianna, Casey, Brittany, Brailyn, and Elizabeth; and sisters, Evelyn (Wayne) Smith and Della Reudink of Vancouver, WA. We will all miss our "Rock of Gibraltar".

A Memorial service will be held in Chet's honor on Sunday March 14, 2004 at 1:30pm at Naval Station Everett, second floor of The Commons.

The family would like to thank Hospice of SnoCo for the love and special care given to Chet through his illness.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Providence Hospice & Home Care of Snohomish County, 2731 Wetmore Ave. Suite 500, Everett, WA 98201.

Burial arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home.