Gerald P. Calkins Gerald P. “Gerry” Calkins, 85, passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2013 surrounded by his family at Hillview House in Centralia, Washington where he had lived the last eight months. He died of natural causes. Gerry was very proud to have been born in Watford City, North Dakota. He was born on December 6, 1927. His parents were Willis Irvin Calkins and Frances Pearl Fitzgerald. He was the seventh of nine children. His parents and all of his brothers and his sister preceded him in death. When he was a teenager, his family moved from North Dakota to Tacoma, Washington where he graduated from Lincoln High School. He enrolled in the U.S. Marines and was stationed in Hawaii towards the end of World War II. He met his first wife, Barbara Mae Roy, at the Boys Club in Tacoma where they both worked. They married on June 10, 1950 and took up residence in Centralia. Barbara preceded Gerry in death. During their 54-year marriage, they had two children, Gary L. Calkins (Emalee) and Judith E. Aguilar (Hector) who all reside in Centralia. They had five grandchildren, Maria Florencia Rodriguez (Lorenzo), Stefany J. Donahue (Kyle), and Marta Aguilar, all of Centralia, Jeremy Calkins of Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Pedro Aguilar (Megan) of Bremerton. Gerry had nine great grandchildren, Lujan, Manuel, Rosario, Joshua, Ashlen, Zoe, Lourdes, Kycen and Sawyer, all of Centralia. In the last months of his life, Gerry enjoyed going to family events, eating out, and being with his family. On May 19, 2007, Gerry married Priscilla (Pat) Calkins, who resides in Centralia and who accompanied him in the last years of his life. Gerry worked for the City of Centralia as Chief Operator of the Waste Water Facility and later for the Washington State Department of Ecology. When he retired, he became a waste water consultant, traveling much of Washington State. In 1977, he was awarded the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award for extraordinary service to the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association. Gerry was a servant leader, setting an example for his children and all who knew him. If he was a member of an organization, he was an active member. He was a member of the Local Chapter 17 of the Retired Public Employees of Washington, having been president. He was also a member of the Marine Corps League, the American Legion and the Veterans Memorial Museum. He was a long standing member of the Centralia First United Methodist Church, where he was active on the council and the Men’s Club. He was willing to do anything for the church, from cleaning the kitchen to leading the council. The only thing he didn’t do was sing in the choir, and that was for a good reason! Gerry was also a passionate member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Centralia Chehalis Lodge 2435. His favorite program within the BPOE was the Washington State Elks Therapy Program for Children. He was State Chairman of the Program. He loved working with the therapists and meeting the children and families who were in the program. He traveled all over the state to promote the therapy program. He also held various positions on the local, district and state and national level in the BPOE. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Centralia First Methodist Church at 506 S. Washington Ave, Centralia, WA. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Washington Elks Therapy Program, PO Box 110760, Tacoma, WA 98411 or to the First United Methodist Church, 506 S Washington Ave, Centralia, WA 98531. Please leave memories of Gerry or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.