Elliott Tucker Cheap

On Monday, May 9th, 2022 Elliott passed away peacefully at his Lake Stevens home, surrounded by family, after a brief battle with cancer. Elliott was born in Tacoma, WA and grew up in Seattle, graduating from Roosevelt High School, the University of Washington (B.A.) and Western Washington University (M.A.). He had a distinguished career as a beloved and dedicated teacher, mentor, and administrator in the Everett School District, teaching honors classes and coaching the debate and Hi-Q teams. After a few years of retirement, he was called back to education by a former principal to mentor new teachers at Lynnwood High School, a job that he also loved.

Elliott married his beloved wife Laurel Hayne Sparks in 1984. They were blessed to be married for 37 years during which they raised a family and were active in their church and community. He was a devoted and loving father to their two sons, Brendan and Travis. He enjoyed volunteering in their schools, being active within their Boy Scout troop, attending sporting events, and providing wisdom and advice at any opportunity. Elliott was a member of the Lake Stevens Lions Club, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Holy Cross Church, and Knights of Columbus, volunteering countless hours of service and making lifelong friends along the way. Elliott was also a dedicated UW Husky football fan and longtime season ticket holder, traveling to bowl games and taking great pride in watching Brendan perform in the Husky Marching Band. Elliott’s greatest passion in life, after church and family, was hiking in the mountains with his family, friends, and faithful golden retriever at his side. He took great joy in being in the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon, especially the Sky Lakes and Mountain Lakes Wilderness Areas in Oregon near his cherished vacation home in Rocky Point. He also had a passion for traveling and often combined the two: hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, and hiking in the Dolomites and Cinque Terre of Italy. Other travels included trips and cruises all over the world and a church mission trip to Guatemala. He was always excited to explore new places, learn about different cultures, talk to new people, and try new food, especially sweets.

He was a wonderful husband, devout Catholic, proud father, and a great friend who always had a smile, a story, a laugh, a listening ear, a caring inquiry, an offer of help, or a word of support for those around him. He touched so many lives and will be sorely missed by many.

Elliott was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Jane Cheap, and his brother Warren. He is survived by his devoted wife Laurel, beloved sons Brendan and Travis, daughter Laura (James) Sprague, granddaughters Sarah and Emily, and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on June 7th at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lake Stevens (6915 SR 92, Lake Stevens, WA) followed by a reception at 1:00pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Everett (2913 W. Marine View Drive, Everett, WA).

Memorial donations may be made to the Lake Stevens Lions Club or Holy Cross Catholic Church.