Guilford Zwight

(86)

Of Yakima, WA passed away on Thursday May 12, 2011 in Spokane, WA at the Waterford Retirement Community. Gil was born in Hanford, WA on September 3, 1924 as the third son of John and Mary Zwight. As a toddler they moved back to Ardenvoir, WA where his father started Zwight Logging Co. and Gil graduated from Entiat High School. In 1943 he married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Hastie. They would have celebrated 68 years of marriage in November. They lived in Entiat, WA until 1971 when they moved to Yakima, WA. In 2008 they moved to Spokane, WA to manage their health issues in a retirement community.

Gil served proudly in the US Marine Corp during WWII. He took part in the invasion of Okinawa as a mechanic for amphibious tanks entering the island and on the front line during battle.

Gil owned and operated Zwight Logging Co. from 1940-1996 in the forests of Entiat, Wenatchee and Yakima. Twenty-six of those years he was joined by his son, Steve. Zwight Logging was his work and livelihood but better described as his love and passion. Gil was always active in promoting and supporting the lumber industry. He was a member of the Washington State Safety Code Committee for Industrial Insurance. He served as a life-long member and president of the Intermountain Logging Conference, the Pacific Logging Congress and the Timber Products Manufacturers.

Gil had an amazing instinctive engineering ability to design and build almost anything for his family and Zwight Logging. He often designed improvements to industrial equipment, some of which were adopted by original manufacturers and are still produced in their factories today.

Gil loved flying his private plane, spending leisure time at Priest Lake, ID and every activity with his beloved family. His family was always assured of his loyalty, support and unconditional love. He left them with a wealth of memories: waving his plane wings, his good-hearted teasing, and bidding goodbye to family and friends with his traditional “toodeloo”.

Gil was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Zwight, and two brothers, John Jr. and Daniel. He is survived by his wife Kathryn, daughter Janet (Randy) McNeice, son Stephen (Debbie) Zwight, grandsons Ryan (Sarah) McNeice, Brad McNeice, 2 great-grandchildren, Olivia and Elliot McNeice and 4 nieces, Suellen Harris, Nancy Harris, Barbara Harris and DeAnn Zwight.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Waterford Retirement Community and the Hospice of Spokane for the loving care.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Gil at his church: Englewood Christian Church, 511 N. 44th Ave, Yakima, WA, Saturday May 21, at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association, Hospice of Spokane or charity of your choice.