Dr. Jerry Joseph Dragovich

January 7, 1919- October 17, 2014

Jerry J. Dragovich, M.D., passed away at the age of 95 at his daughter Denise’s home in Mount Vernon. Jerry was born in Everett, Washington. He was the son of Maria and Joseph Dragovich, immigrants from the village of Vela Luka, on the Croatian Island of Korcula. Jerry and his sister, Clara, were raised in the closely knit Croatian fishing community that flourished in Everett at that time. Jerry spoke Croatian until starting elementary school at Immaculate Conception. After graduating from Everett High School, he went on to undergraduate studies and premed, primarily at Seattle University. He attended Marquette University School of Medicine graduating in 1945. Shortly after the end of World War II, Captain Dragovich served as a doctor in the Philippines and Okinawa with the U.S. Army. While in residency at Milwaukee County Hospital, Jerry met Rosalie Strauss, who had left the family farm to become a nurse. They married in Milwaukee, WI on July 1, 1950. After completing his residency in Chicago, Jerry, Rosalie and daughter Debra moved back to Washington State. For several years Dr. Dragovich practiced as an ear, nose and throat physician in Bremerton. Four more children –David, Denise, Dan and Doug had come along by the time the family moved to Capitol Hill in Seattle where Joe, Julie and Jeff were born. After moving to Seattle and setting up his ENT/Allergy practice in West Seattle he still maintained an office in Bremerton. Every Tuesday and Thursday for many years, Jerry would drive to Bremerton and take the ferry home. Dr. Dragovich practiced medicine until he was 85. After retirement Rosalie and Jerry moved to Silver Lake, WA. At that time, Rosalie was suffering from dementia and Jerry lovingly cared for her there for five years. They then moved in with their daughter, Denise, a nurse who lives in Mount Vernon. Rosalie passed in November 2011. He will always be remembered as a kind, gentle and generous man. The best word to describe Jerry Dragovich is selfless. He was indeed the Good Doctor. Family was everything to Dad. He was always doing for his family, and he rarely sat still. If family members needed assistance he was there - anything to help out and stay busy. He was a great husband and father, and a devoted son to his mother, Maria. After his father passed away during a trip home to Croatia in 1966, Dad continued to visit his mother every Sunday. His children have fond memories of going to “Baba’s” house on Sundays for Slav soup. Dad was also renowned as a smooth dancer. He and Rosalie were an elegant and graceful couple on the dance floor. He also loved to tell stories about his colorful life, especially about his childhood in Everett. Jerry is survived by seven of his children, Debra, David, Denise, Dan (Deb), Doug, Joe (Tasha) and Jeff (Kara), twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Rosalie, daughter Julie (Coan) and Sister Clara. Rosary at 7 pm with Visitation 4 – 8 pm on Thursday, Oct.23rd at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4504 Broadway, Everett WA 98203. Funeral Mass Friday, Oct. 24th at 11 am at St. Joseph’s Church - 732 18th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112.

Services will follow at Evergreen Mausoleum at 2:30 pm, Everett.

Arrangements under the direction of Evergreen Funeral Home, Everett, WA.