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Earl “Skip” Gest
01/24/1957 — 01/17/2013
From West, Richland, WA, US | Born in Kennewick, WA
Earl “Skip” Gest
Earl "Skip" Gest
Earl "Skip" Gest, 55, of West Richland, WA passed away on January 17, 2013. He was born on January 24, 1957 in Kennewick, WA and was a life long resident of the Tri-City area. He worked for Benton County as a Noxious Weed Inspector.
Skip is survived by Wife of 16 years Sharon Gest, son Cole Gest and daughter Courtney Gest, step daughters Jamie and Teejay Parsons, father Rex Gest, stepmother Joy, sisters Linda Porter and Jackie Gest-Easton, mother in law Delores Gore and the spouses/significant others of those listed above. He was also blessed with 6 grandchildren and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lou Gest.
Skip had a genuine compassion for everyone; he loved life and those around him. He had an infectious smile, a chuckle that caused everyone around him to laugh, a gleam in his eye, and he never met a person he couldn't make friends with. He was just one of those rare people that could cajole anyone into a smile. He was always there when someone asked for help and in return had many friends willing to help him when he needed it. He was born and raised in Kennewick, WA, and was a member of the Lum family who was one of the founding families of Kennewick. He attended Kennewick Public Schools and graduated in 1975 from Kennewick High School and went on to graduate from Columbia Basin College in 1977. He had many passions growing up including tinkering around and fixing things, photography, snowmobiling, and sporty cars. He was a volunteer fireman for many years for Benton County Fire district 1 Station 110. He worked in the photography departments of both Battelle Northwest and Boeing Richland before moving on to work for the Benton County Noxious Weed department. He was instrumental in the Clover Island lighthouse "stamp" by working with the local Clover Island Lighthouse group to become members of the US Light House Society. His dedication to civic activism was also in serving on the Benton County Park Board, and the Photo Advisory Board for the local high schools. Skip enjoyed taking trips with his wife and grandchildren in their RV to lighthouses and parks in the western United States. It was never beyond him to take a detour to see something of interest just to add to the excitement. One of his other passions was remodeling and fixing and building his shop. Skip was a bright light that drew many people to him and he will be dearly missed by everyone.
A funeral service will take place at 2pm Friday January 25th , Bethel Church in Richland, Graveside following at Mueller's Desert Lawn Cemetery in Kennewick, and Celebration of Life at Sandberg Event Center in West Richland, WA.
Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Skip was my friend. He will always be apart of my life and in my heart. Skip was always positive and a joy to be with. I loved him as a brother.
Condolences to the family and friends.
Skip was a valued friend and mentor.
His wonder at history and the past was amazing!
He valued the past, and did his best to ensure that it would be remembered through his photography.
He enjoyed the outdoors and placed value on making sure that everyone would have an opportunity to share the experience with their families.
I will miss our conversations together over family, Park Board issues and other points of interest.
He was proud of his family and his heritage.
Skip made a Big difference in everything he was involved in!
We will miss him greatly.
I had the honor of working with Skip at Station 110 just before he left as a volunteer. He had a great compassion, humor and was very skilled in firefighting. I recall how much he enjoyed our “pickle pizza” nights at Hubby’s. After he left, a few people though I was Skip. He was, after all, a really good looking guy!
I am so, so sorry to hear of Skips passing. I saw him at the last KHS reunion and was so impressed with his character and kindness. I hadn’t seen Skip for several years before that. Bless Skip and his family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Skip was my friend. He will always be apart of my life and in my heart. Skip was always positive and a joy to be with. I loved him as a brother.
Condolences to the family and friends.
Skip was a valued friend and mentor.
His wonder at history and the past was amazing!
He valued the past, and did his best to ensure that it would be remembered through his photography.
He enjoyed the outdoors and placed value on making sure that everyone would have an opportunity to share the experience with their families.
I will miss our conversations together over family, Park Board issues and other points of interest.
He was proud of his family and his heritage.
Skip made a Big difference in everything he was involved in!
We will miss him greatly.
I had the honor of working with Skip at Station 110 just before he left as a volunteer. He had a great compassion, humor and was very skilled in firefighting. I recall how much he enjoyed our “pickle pizza” nights at Hubby’s. After he left, a few people though I was Skip. He was, after all, a really good looking guy!
I am so, so sorry to hear of Skips passing. I saw him at the last KHS reunion and was so impressed with his character and kindness. I hadn’t seen Skip for several years before that. Bless Skip and his family.
Sharon- Kitty’s and My sympathy is with you in this trying time. He was full of life and fun at the open house such a short time ago. Stay strong for the kids. If I can be of any help, please contact me. He and Frank are probably catching up now.
Skip, I can only think that your Mom and Aunt Lucille greeted you in heaven with a plate full of freshly baked cookies. I was always so glad to see you because you always had a smile and something good to say. I will miss you…until we meet again. Love, Cousin Kathy
Skip was one of the nicest, kind-hearted men I have ever had the honor to know. He and Sharon raised wonderful dachshund puppies of which Ken & I have 2. Sharon, you are in my thoughts & prayers
My deepest sorrows go out to the Gest family,Skip was my neighbor and fellow fire fighter back in the 80’s.. cant beleive he’s gone… Prayers to your family..
I think Skip would be telling us to smile despite our grieving hearts.
Rex and family,
Harvey and I want you to know we are very sorry for your loss and are thinking of you at this time. Please know we are thinking of you and want you to take care of yourself too.
I am very sad. Skip was a good guy and we all felt like he was part of our family. Fritz thought the world of Skip and really enjoyed all the time they spent together goofing around. The picture you picked was perfect—Skip with a big smile on his face. This is how I always thought of him-smiling. I have fond memories of us riding our bikes, playing with his train set. and fishing or whatever Fritz could drag us all off to do. I remember him passing out from cutting his finger when we were unloading mattresses. I remember him taking pictures of everything and everyone. Good memories. I am very sad.
Skip was the heart of PNNL photography when we used to work together in the 1980’s – he took our ideas and hopes and turned them into realities – my husband and I offer our condolences and will keep you in our prayers during this time.
We would like to send all our prayers and thoughts. Skip we will miss your big smile.
To the family all our prayers our with you.
John and Regina
Dear Sharon and the rest of Skip’s family: Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss of Skip. It has been many, many years since I’ve lost touch with Skip. This makes me hesitate to post anything at all, but I am because I had a lot of respect for him. You see I too was a volunteer at what they call Station 110 today. I worked with Skip at Sta. 1 from ’77 or ’78 until I resigned in ’88. I moved from Kennewick in ’89 to Eugene,OR and back in late ’03. It was by pure chance and I mean chance that I discovered his untimely demise today Friday 2/1/13 via Facebook via FPD #1’s FB page. I remember Skip always ready to dive right in and help, as well as always trying to bring a smile to those around him! He had one of those personalities that the world is poorer for losing him. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Doug Hively
hi sharon…dont know if its too late to leave a message here but just wanted to say we were shocked to hear what happened…i just got a letter from Grandmother and she told us about it…we sure would have come to the service if we would have known…we loved him alot too..just about a perfect person if there ever was one! love to all….steve and rhonda
Skip always had a smile and warmth. He went too soon, and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers to you, Sharon and family.
So sorry to hear of Skip’s passing…he was one of the good ones. Skip was a valued member of our Fire District. As part of our fire family, he and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace Skip!
Our heartfelt condolences. Skip shared with us his love of lighthouses. May God’s beacon guide him safely to his heavenly home.
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Earl “Skip” Gest