Louis John Gavin III

Louis John Gavin died on June 10, 2011 as a result of complications following surgery in Seattle at the University of Washington Medical Center. He was born November 9, 1940 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Yakima; the oldest of four children (John, Jim, Sally and Pat) of Louis John Gavin and Veda Mary Hutchings Gavin. John's first home was 208 Park Avenue where his favorite activities as a baby were sleeping through anything (which he was able to do his entire life) and watching colored Christmas tree lights. His first educational experience was Kindergarten at Roosevelt Elementary where he and his best friend, Steve Forney, distinguished themselves by getting expelled for unruly behavior. In 1948 the family moved to the corner of Sunset and Minnesota (now 56th and Lincoln) which was way out in the country.

John attended Wide Hollow Elementary (grades 1 through 8) and West Valley High School (grades 9 through 12) graduating in 1959. John's childhood was exciting and challenging for Mom and Dad, especially when it came to activities involving fire that best remain unrevealed. With John there was never a dull moment. Almost from birth John could concentrate while reading or thinking so intensely that he blocked out all outside interference. Although John was extremely independent and took charge of every situation, he established many close friendships that endured and strengthened with time.

John was an athlete, student leader and academic. He was Associated Student Body President and Valedictorian. He was outstanding in football (quarterback and place kicker), basketball (guard) and track where he participated in both field and running events. He was the first high school athlete in Yakima to throw the javelin 200 feet.

Upon graduation from WVHS in 1959 John received an appointment from Senator Henry M. Jackson to the United States Air Force Academy. John continued to distinguish himself as a leader, academic and athlete. He excelled as a member of both the ski and football teams. While racing he suffered near fatal injuries in a fall. It was believed that he would not survive his injuries but his drive and determination overcame that obstacle and John continued to participate in athletics. He set a NCAA record for longest field goal (55 yards) while at the Academy.

John graduated in 1963. One of his most memorable moments was when President John F. Kennedy spoke at that graduation. He greatly respected President Kennedy as a president and military man. John's time at the United States Air Force Academy set the course for the rest of his life. He loved the Academy and was firmly connected to it throughout his life. He regularly visited and served as a recruiter for the Academy. The friendships he established while there were lifelong.

Upon graduation John was assigned to a team in California working on a space reentry vehicle. While there he managed to obtain a real estate license, complete a year of law school and earn a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California. He also lived in a large house on the beach where he learned to surf and live the "Southern California single guy at the beach" life with vigor and his usually intensity.

But John was not happy with his safe lifestyle, especially when he knew that many of his classmates and friends were serving in Vietnam. He requested reassignment which was denied. He then determined that he could get there by becoming a member of a Special Forces Unit, the Green Berets. He completed the preparation and training and served a I3-month tour in Vietnam where he received numerous commendations including the Bronze Star. John was proud of his service in Viet Nam. His missions have never been mentioned to us, primarily because John was true to his oath and kept them secret. We, however, knew that he was in a dangerous war in dangerous situations and were relieved when he came home safely.

John was extremely proud of having served his country in the military. Never did he waiver from his belief in the absolute necessity of a strong and well-trained military. He was a staunch defender of it and was quick to respond with his usual intensity to anyone who raised even a doubt about the necessity of a strong military. In this, as in all discussions, he was well prepared and quick to relate relevant facts and persuasive arguments.

Following John's service in the military he began a business career which included working for Boise Cascade and Bayliner, operating a plumbing supply business and Central Steel and Tank in Yakima. For many years John has been a broker with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC in Yakima handling his many clients' investment interests as if they were his own.

While John pursued his profession with his characteristic drive and commitment, he found time to continue involvement in physical activities including competing in rugby, ironman triathlons, hiking, mountain climbing (and rock climbing), golf, biking and swimming and other physical activities too numerous to mention. He entered competitions expecting to win. John not only exercised his body, he also exercised his mind. He traveled extensively and was a voracious reader seeking knowledge and information on any subject matter that caught his attention.

John loved his children, was totally devoted to them and instilled in them a belief that they could not only accomplish anything they chose to do, but also be the best at it. One need only know his children to understand that he succeeded in his efforts.

John was a deeply religious man. He was a devout Catholic. The Catholic Church was of paramount importance to him both in life and in death. He confided in family and friends his belief in God and the Catholic Church, especially in relation to his service in Viet Nam and in his recent battle with cancer. His belief in God and his religion gave him the strength to face and conquer many obstacles.

John's devotion to family and friends was unconditional. If anyone needed help, John was there. John stood by us, ready to defend us, and sometimes, well many times, told us what to do (which we may or may not have done), but he kept telling us anyway. He loved us, trusted us and stood up for us. Through his passion for living life to the fullest, and his dedication to helping others to do the same, John will forever be remembered as a person who made us and others believe in ourselves.

John loved the outdoors. He was an outdoorsman. He loved fishing (from Yakima to Kamchatka to Chile). He loved hunting, especially chukars, because it requires so much physical effort and allowed him to show off the talents of "the best chukar dog in the world". John would find the steepest, rockiest and most difficult terrain to hunt and set the dog loose to do her thing. Inevitably the "best chukar dog in the world" would set the pace and disappear from sight not to be seen again until time to go home.

John is survived by his mother, Mrs. John (Veda) Gavin, his children, Kerry Stout, Kelley Hatfield, Peter Gavin and Carly Buwalda, his sister, Sally Nash and his brothers, Jim Gavin and Pat Gavin, numerous grandchildren, nephews and nieces and their children.

Please make donations in John’s memory to an outdoor or hunting organization or North Star Lodge/ Linear Accelerator % Keith & Keith Funeral Home 902 W. Yakima Avenue Yakima, WA 98902.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 S. 12 Avenue, Yakima, at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011. To celebrate the life of John visit, www.keithandkeith.com.