The day after Saint Patrick's Day, Earl Arthur Weerts, 73, died peacefully at Tri-Cities Hospice House. He had driven to the Tri-Cities in late spring 2001 from Arizona, suspecting that his health was poor. Doctors here diagnosed advanced cancer. In the following months, he charmed and amazed his medical team and caregivers with his Irish wit, gift of storytelling, and tenacity to hold onto life. He was grateful to spend his remaining time closer to his children and grandchildren. Above all, Earl loved his family. He is survived by his son Dan Weerts and his children Tyler and Lauren of Corvallis Oregon, and daughter Donna Bishop, her husband Bill and their children Sarah, Brian, Kelly, and Emma of Kennewick. Earl is also survived by two brothers, Vernon and Stanley Weerts of Santa Rosa, California, and 19 nieces and nephews. There will be a private family time of remembrance in California this summer. Earl was born in Modesto, California on June 28, 1928 to Lulu Walden Weerts. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany where he drove for a general. He owned two grocery stores in Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, California, and later worked for the state of Nevada for 20 years as a guard. Earl was only 37 when his first wife, Dorothy Hunt Weerts, died in November 1965. He later married Ruth Collins Weerts, who died in N ovember 1999. Earl would want to thank everyone who provided treatment to extend his life and those who offered prayer, love and support to him and his family. You can honor his memory by cheering for the Diamondbacks and Mariners or donating to the Tri-Cities Hospice House.