Lawrence E. Eakman

He was born to parents Frank and Lenore Eakman who lived in the Six Prong Creek area of Alderdale, WA. Lawrence has one younger brother Clifford Eakman, who lives in Othello, WA.

Lawrence attended his first 6 years of school in Alderdale. In 1941 he attended his 7th grade school year in Ellensburg, WA.

In 1942 his family moved to Pomeroy, WA. He attended 8th grade at Ping School. In 1946 he graduated from Pomeroy High School.

After high school, Lawrence worked on a fruit ranch in Yakima from 1946 to 1956.

He married Va Mona Larson on September 16, 1949 in Yakima WA. They had two sons Lynn, born in 1954 and Randy, born in 1956.

In 1956 Lawrence bought 50 acres of land in the East Selah area. He built a house for his family and planted apple and pear trees. He had an egg farm and also raised alfalfa and corn.

Lawrence worked as an orchardist for several years. In 1974 he sold the orchard and began a career in beekeeping. He had as many as 700 hives and had his own honey processing system on his ranch in East Selah. He produced the world’s best honey which he sold privately and to Sue Bee Company.

In 1972 Lawrence’s niece and nephew, Dan and Janelle Schmoe came to live with them and became a part of their family.

Over the years the children grew and started lives of their own. Their family eventually grew to include daughters-in-law Karen Eakman, Donna Eakman, Brenda Schmoe, and son-in-law Lonnie Rudick.

Lawrence and Va Mona were blessed with 8 grandchildren. Jennielynn VanWagoner of Yakima, WA, Stacy Eakman of Seattle, WA, Brianne Gowens of Houston, TX, Karlee Eakman of Kennewick, WA, Aaron and Trevor Rudick of Hillsboro, OR, Jenelle Holldorf of Federal Way, WA and Josh Aguirre of Moxee, WA.

They also have 8 great grandchildren, Addilyn and Lillia VanWagoner, Kason Eakman, Elliot Gowens, Anthony Riojas, Mercedes Gutierrez, and Kaitlin and Tanner Holldorf.

Lawrence was an active member of the Selah Covenant Church for almost 50 years. He was a dedicated Christian and devoted much of his time caring for the sick and elderly.

Lawrence was a very dedicated and caring husband to his wife Va Mona. He was greatly admired by his children and grandchildren for his devotion to his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Lenore and his wife Va Mona.

Lawrence always had a great sense of humor which he retained even during his final days. Once when he was asked by the hospice Chaplin if he had anything else he needed to do, he replied “well there’s a lot to do here, but there is a lot to do in the place I am going too.” When asked what he planned to do first, he replied “well for starters, I want to see what the Lord looks like.”

We would like to offer a special thanks to Dan and Brenda Schmoe for the tender love and care they gave to Dad during his final days. We love and appreciate you so much.

A Celebration of Lawrence’s Life will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011 at the Keith & Keith Terrace Heights Chapel.

Arrangements are under the care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

We love you Pop, and will miss you very much.