Ruth Irene Gearheart

Jan. 10, 1936 – Oct. 17, 2015

Our loving wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma passed at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Irene was born in Spokane to Ada Lyon on Jan. 10, 1936. She attended Logan Elementary and John R. Rogers High School.

Irene met the love of her life, Stanley, and they were married Aug. 20, 1953, in Spokane.

Irene is survived by Stanley Gearheart at the family home in Oak Harbor; sons, Howard Gearheart and wife Carol of Arlington, Jerry Gearheart and wife Colleen of Salt Lake City, Utah and Randy Gearheart and wife Kittie of Marysville. Numerous grandkids and great-grandkids that she cherished her time with will also miss Gramma Red.

Stan was active duty Navy at the time of their marriage. Their first son, Howard, was born at Fairchild AFB in October 1956. 1958 saw them transferred to Kwajalein Island in the South Pacific where their second son, Jerry, was born in March of 1959. From the South Pacific, Stan deployed on the USS Coral Sea stationed in Alameda where the family resided until 1960, when they moved to Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. 1964 found them moving to Iwakuni, Japan. In April of 1965, Randy was born in Yokosuka, Japan. In 1966, the family again lived in Alameda before moving back to Oak Harbor in 1967 until 1972 when the Navy sent them to San Pedro, Calif. In 1973, Stan retired and brought the family back to Oak Harbor. During all these moves, Irene spent a lot of time raising the boys alone as Stan served his country.

She was an avid bowler; taught English to Japanese high school students; handcrafted Japanese kabuki dolls; partnered in a ceramic business; worked for the Navy Exchange; was a foster parent to many children; enjoyed the CB craze and was an active participant (“Little Red” was her handle); was active in the VFW Auxiliary, Post 7392, Oak Harbor; loved to travel in the motorhome; enjoyed lake fishing with Stan; and really liked her “red” beer.

Irene will be missed. But the memories she helped create will be cherished forever. There will be a celebration of Irene’s life at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Oak Harbor VFW, 3037 N. Goldie Road, Oak Harbor, (360-675-4048). There will be a private ceremony at Spokane Memorial Gardens on Friday Oct. 30.