Gregory Vern Cearlock

Greg, known to his friends in days gone by as “Sarge”, was born August 23, 1941 in Seattle, Washington and lived in Washington and Oregon until moving to Yakima in the fourth grade. He graduated from Davis High School in 1959, and attended Yakima Valley College in 1960, but always preferred working with his hands. His career began at Chinook Mobilodge, an RV manufacturer in Union Gap, where he was soon promoted to foreman of the Cabinet Shop. When Chinook closed he moved to the coast and worked for Boeing. Later he and his first wife, Betty, moved to California where he worked for another camper manufacturer. After a divorce, he moved back to Yakima where he worked for a few companies then went into business for himself as a Handyman. This is where Greg shined. He was a problem solver and could build or fix almost anything using his intelligence and creativity to find a solution. He frequently used this gift for the benefit of friends, family, and anyone he felt could use the help. His personal motto (borrowed from Zenith) was “the quality goes in before the name goes on”.

In Yakima he met and married Cherrie, the mother of his children, Nicholas and Benjamin. After their divorce Greg devoted himself to his children whom he raised until they graduated from Eisenhower High School. They were always the pride and joy of his life. When his grandchildren were born that pride and joy was renewed afresh. He was lucky enough to have met his new great-grandson in person just over a month ago. Of all the things he enjoyed in life, it was his family, both near and extended, that mattered most.

Over the years Greg’s physical health may have deteriorated, but never his sense of humor. Greg laughed easily and loudly, and often hard enough that he had trouble finishing his own jokes. We will always remember Greg with a joyous twinkle in his eye and a hearty laugh on his lips.

Greg is survived by his sons Nick of Brooklyn, NY and Ben of Mukilteo, WA, his grandchildren Abbegail and Alexys, his great-grandson DJ, his brother and sister-in-law, Larry & Sandi, and a myriad of cousins he grew up with in Central Washington.

Greg’s family will celebrate his life at a later date.

To share a memory, please visit www.keithandkeith.com