Everett Harland Doty

Everett Harland Doty, 89 of Yakima, passed away Saturday, September 22nd, 2018, at Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital. Everett was born to Arthur and Elsie (Stone) Doty on March 18th, 1929 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

After his education at Yakima High and a brief stint with the Marines, Everett went to work for the Yakima Fruit Growers Association as a packing boss. It was at the Yakima warehouse in the early 50’s, where he met Shirley Groth, a school teacher working summers in the office. Everett and Shirley married on June 6, 1954, and raised 2 sons, Michael and Douglas. In the mid 50’s, he took a job with Safeway as a produce buyer and worked in various locations from Indio, CA to Yakima until 1963. At the strong suggestion of Shirley, the family moved back to Yakima in October of 1963 as Everett became the sales manager at Inland Fruit and Produce in Wapato. He would hold this position until his retirement in 1998, eventually also becoming a partner in the company the last few years.

In 1968, he and 4 partners planted an orchard on Lateral A which he enjoyed farming until he sold it in 2007. He was also a part of the ownership group of the Sunkings basketball team in the early years, happy along with Shirley to support something for the citizens of the Yakima Valley.

He was an avid golfer and fisherman and was known to include golf outings with his customers around the country. This allowed him the opportunity to play some of the best courses in the South and in California. After his retirement, he wintered in Rancho Mirage, CA, so he could golf every day. In the later years he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife until her death in 2001, then with his close friend Gayle Murphy.

Everett is survived by his 2 sons, his 2 daughters-in- law, Janet Doty and Debbie Doty, his sister Fern (Jim) Swanson, 4 grandchildren, Jennifer (Abdi) Ugas, Jeffrey Doty, Kristina Doty, Brian (Alisse) Doty, and 5 great grandchildren, Dean Ugas, Colin Doty, Kaleb Ugas, Jade Doty, Myra Doty, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Virgil Doty. At Everett’s request, there will be no services.