Delbert Lavery

Delbert Wesley Lavery (Blondie - nickname given to him by his dad at birth) was one of 12 children born to Joseph and Opal (Godat) Lavery. He was bon on February 17, 1939, in Olympia, WA, on the homestead located at 33rd Ave NE. He was the second born in a set of triplets. The Lavery triplets were the 2nd set of triplets to be born in Thurston County. As a young child Blondie picked strawberries, did yard work and picked up beer, pop, and milk bottles. He would trade in the bottles for cash to supply himself with school clothes and any other outside activities. The beer bottles were worth 1 cent each, the pop bottles were 5 cents each, and when he managed to find a milk bottle he thought he hit the jackpot cause they were worth a whole 25 cents each!

Blondie attended Roosevelt Elementary School, graduated to Washington Junior High, completing grades 6 - 9. He continued his education at William Winlock High School, now known as Olympia High School, where he graduated in 1958. During his senior year of high school, on April 15, 1957, he enlisted in the Army National Guards, serving both in Washington and Oregon. He went to Fort Ord in California for his basic training, then was stationed at Presidio of San Francisco, CA and assigned to Battery 700th Battlion. Delbert was assigned to Company C 2nd group 161st infantry in Washington where he was promoted to E-3, and then joined Company B 1st Brigade 162nd infantry when he had moved to Salem, OR. After serving for 3 years, on April 7, 1961, he was given an Honorable Discharge. Later he attended Olympia Community College, which during his time there the institution changed it's name to South Puget Sound Community College.

Delbert met his lovely wife Inez Strevy at his sister Marie's birthday party in February of 1959. Delbert and Inez were married on Valentines Day, February 14, 1960. The wedding took place at Inez's grandparent's home in Colfax, WA, Whitman County. They lived in Colfax, WA, for a short time, then moved to Salem, OR, in June of 1960, where they resided until 1969. During these 9 years their 1st child, a daughter, Christine Louise was born on January 17, 1961. Followed by a 2nd daughter, Margaret Marie, born on October 6, 1962. Their 1st and only son, Frederick (Fred) Joel was born on February 12, 1964. After a small break they were surprised with another daughter born on April 24, 1969, Melody Marlaine, who completed the family of 6.

Delbert was always working on 2 or 3 jobs at a time. After moving to Salem, OR, Blondie worked at several restaurants. He worked at the Marion Hotel for about 9 years, he started as a busboy, then working his way up became a set up person, and advancing all the way to supervisor of the busboys. Blondie worked at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant as a dishwasher, advancing to pastry cook, broiler cook and eventually to sous chef. Plus during the time he also did a seasonal job working for Del Monte's Cannery. In June of 1969 Delbert moved his family to Olympia, WA, due to his dad's declining health. Blondie worked in Thurston, Pierce, Mason, and Lewis Counties in several restaurants. At Falls Terrace he worked as a broiler cook, along with working at Evergreen Inn, Greenwood Inn, Westwater Inn, and Quality Inn. He also worked at Comfort Inn (now known as Red Lion) for 18 years, as a troubleshooter - meaning wherever he was needed - whether it was a dishwasher, prep cook, breakfast-lunch-dinner cook, taking over as chef during a walkout, etc... Delbert worked at the Capitol Lunchroom, during 1969-1971. while working in Olympia, WA, he had an accident slipping on spilled liquid while carrying a big pot of boiling chicken stock. This caused him to fall spilling the boiling chicken stock all over himself, which resulted in him being covered in 3rd degree burns on his back and front torso, also resorted in him losing his hearing in his left ear. He had to undergo multiple surgeries and skin graphes to help him recover, though the hot liquid burned his eardrum so unfortunately his hearing never returned in that ear. That didn't stop him from doing what he loved to do. Delbert continued in the restaurant business and even had his own restaurant called Del's Country Cafe in Lacey, WA, in 1971. Delbert then got hired as a custodian for the State of Washington until he retired in 2001. Delbert was an active member of his Loval 443 Union while working for the state. He was a shop stewart for 18 years for his Union. Delbert was also on the Labor Management Committee for 6 years. He was always trying to help his collegues in settling disputes for labor, and was concerned about labor issues. Delbert enjoyed retirement for 2 1/2 years before he got very bored (and drove Inez bonkers, being home all the time) and decided to return to work. He started back into what he knew he liked doing and worked as a prep cook at the New Yorkerand LaQuinto Inn, both in Tacoma, WA. Then went to the Candlelight in Chehalis, Bodie's Truck Stop, Tri City Meats, and finally coming back to work at home in Olympia at the Govenor's House. He finished up his second run of his career working for Goodwill on their Donation Trucks, taking in donations and sorting and prepping them for transport to the various Goodwill locations.

Blondie was a great collector of eagles. Delbert enjoyed yard work and his flowers. He was noted for his beautiful Calla Lillies, Dahlias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas. He was an avid reader, always reading when he found the time and loved to study the Bible. He was saved when he ws 8 years old at the Old Assembly of God Church on Pear Street in Olympia, WA. A Sunday school bus would come and pick up him and his siblings for Sunday School. Delbert and Inez attended the Salem Open Bible Church in Oregon. When they returned to Olympia, WA, they became Charter members of Open Bible Church. Delbert and Inez then attended Evangel Temple, known now as Evangel Worship Center, they were members there for 10 years. They moved on to South Union Church of God, Eastside Community Church, Black Lake Chapel, Tenino Assembly of God, and then Mountain View. Delbert served as an usher, youth paster,Sunday school teacher, also led the Men's breakfast. Delbert and Inez would go to Colonial Arms where they taught the congregation songs and led Sunday school classes for the elderly who couldn't make it to the church services. His faith in God had kept him and his wife sustained all through their marriage. Blondie loved his family and was always concerned that they have a personal relationship with Jesus. He would always tell everyone that Jesus loves you. He was grateful to be blessed with the opportunity to be in contact with his granddaughter Summer Dawn, whom he wasn't able to for so long. He so enjoyed caring for his great-grandchildren.

Delbert Wesley Lavery went to his heavenly home to be with God, his family, and his friends in Heaven on April 2, 2025, at the worldly age of 86. He waspreceded in death by his wife Inez, in 2021; his daughter Mary Smith, in 2014; his grandson Michael Lavery, in 1997; his brothers Cleo, in 2005; Edward, in 1985; Albert, in 2016; His sisters Juanita, in 2010; Annette, in 1988; Betty, in 2015; and Joanne, in 2016. Delbert is survived by his 2 daughters Christine Willis and Margaret Hooper, both of Olympia, WA; his son Frederick Lavery, of Glendale, AZ; sisters Roberta Amell, Bonnie Armstrong; brother Bill, of Olympia, WA; 8 grandchildren, 15 grreat-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and other relatives.