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OBITUARY
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OBITUARY |
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Alexander Hamilton McReaDecember 28, 1916 - June 8, 2009
U.S. Veteran Alex McRea was born Dec. 28, 1916 to Claude and Martha (Hamilton) McRea on his grandparents? homestead close to Bellingham, Washington. Both families were pioneers in the Mt. Baker area. Alex grew up during the depression at a time when neighbor helped neighbor. He graduated from Mt. Baker High School and because of the depression, came to Friday Harbor to earn money for college. While working on a farm, he met his future wife, Margaret Loring, when she was 15. They met again 3 years later at a University of Washington dance. They dated for the six depression years it took Alex to work his way to a degree in Fisheries Science. After graduation, he entered the Navy as an Ensign. Between graduation from officer?s school and deployment, Alex and Margaret were married at Margaret's Friday Harbor family home in 1943. During the first three years of their marriage, Alex served in the South Pacific during WWII where he was the Navigator and the Executive Officer aboard a mine sweeper. After the war Alex and Margaret moved to Alaska, where Alex was a fisheries biologist for the State of Alaska, first in the Anchorage area in Hatchery Management, and then in Juneau in State Administration as Director of Sports Fish. He retired in 1977 as Chief of Hatchery Division for the State of Alaska. During their time in Alaska, they traveled through the Inside Passage many times on their boat, and spent many happy seasons exploring and fishing the waters of Southeast Alaska with their friends. Alex is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret, his daughter Phebe and son-in-law, Victor Smith, granddaughter Andean Lucas, grandson, Alex Smith and wife, Rose, and great-granddaughters, Scarlett and Roxanna. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm, Friday, June 19, 2009, at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. Remembrances may be sent to Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church or Hospice of San Juan. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and San Juan Islands. To share memories of Alex, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com |
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