Derrell Irvin Lakin

Derrell Lakin was born in Wichita, Kansas on August 13, 1933 to Thelma and Henry Lakin. In 1938, they relocated to Bellingham and lived at Silver Beach. Derrell attended Silver Beach Elementary, Whatcom Junior High and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1951. Growing up, he was active in Boys Scouts, skiing at Mount Baker, fishing, and hunting in Whatcom County with his dad.

After graduation, Derrell did a variety of jobs from working on a fishing boat off Lummi Island to planting strawberries on an acre of property rented for him by his dad. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Army and served his active duty in Korea and completed his reserve duty in 1961. After his discharge from active duty, he was in the apprenticeship program at Skagit Steel and Iron Works from 1955 to 1957. In 1957 he began his career as a machinist at the Boeing Company and worked at nearly all the facilities in the Puget Sound area. Derrell served on the apprenticeship board and worked on several interesting programs including: the Jetfoil, 707, 747, Minuteman, Lunar Orbiter, Lunar Rover, and the Saturn Apollo. After 37 years, he retired in 1994.

He married Janice Jensen on August 23, 1958 in Bellingham. They lived in Seattle until May 1961 when they moved to their present home in the Renton Highlands where they raised their children, Tami and Scott.

Derrell enjoyed hiking, camping and skiing with his family; elk hunting at Tripod meadows with father-in-law Jens and friend Jerry and fishing with his kids and nephews. He and Jan have gone on many trips including: the Oregon Coast, RV trip to New Mexico to visit foster brother, Bill, river rafting on the Wenatchee and cruising in the Caribbean. An Alaska cruise was cancelled when a life altering opportunity presented itself and his name came to the top of the kidney transplant list in 1996. But, his all time favorite vacation was going on their annual trip to Kauai where many family and friends have joined them over the past 28 years.

At home, Derrell loved to garden, go to the VFW on Thursdays for hamburger night and hosted the annual neighborhood party. Even though he lived in Renton, he had lifelong ties to Bellingham. Derrell’s mother and in-laws all lived in Whatcom County and he and Jan visited often. He looked forward to the Antique Tractor and Machinery Show and the reunions for Silver Beach Elementary and Bellingham High School.

In spite of several health issues since retiring, Derrell loved to keep busy and meet new people. He attended his grandkids sporting events, regularly walked at Lake Washington and flew the United States flag every day.

Derrell is survived by his wife Janice of nearly 54 years, daughter Tami (Duane) Henkel, Maple Valley and son Scott Lakin, Spanaway. Papa Derrell will be missed by his grandchildren Jeffrey and Alyse Henkel and Mac Lakin.

Funeral services will be on Monday, August 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the Greenwood Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the Skyway VFW.