Edward E. Scovell

June 20, 1926-Jan. 7, 2017

Former Homer resident Edward Eugene Scovell, 90, died early Saturday Jan. 7, 2017, in Portland, Ore. “Ed went to be with Jesus,” his family said.

Ed was born on June 20, 1926, in Canton, Ill., to Fred Whittlesey Scovell and Edythe Stoke Scovell. He had one older sister, Barbara Bushman, who preceded him in death, and one younger brother, Fred (Bill) Scovell who lives in Utah.

When Ed was 18, his family moved to Kennewick, Wash., in June 1944. In October of that year he joined the U.S. Navy and was sent to San Diego, Calif., for boot camp. He served on the USS Chinquapin, a net tender that sailed to Okinawa to lay nets in the harbor so that torpedoes could not enter the bay. They went through two typhoons and were lost at sea for more than 24 hours, and were hit by their sister ship just above the water line. They were able to come back to Hawaii under their own power and then on to Astoria, Ore., and then to Seattle, to decommission the ship. The Navy then put him on a large troop transport to go back to Okinawa to pick up troops and came into New York harbor. They then returned to Bremerton, Wash., for discharge in 1946.

Ed worked for Blair’s Bakery in Kennewick. He married Olive Grace Griffith on Aug. 10, 1947. Their two boys, Terry and Randy, were born in Pasco, Wash. They then moved to Portland, Ore., so Ed could attend diesel school. Their son, Gary, and daughter, Sharla, were born in Portland. Ed worked in the Sears tire shop for a year and was then employed by Reynolds Metals in Troutdale, Ore., for the next 32 years. He retired in 1983.

Edward and Olive attended and were members of the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, later named Rose City Church of the Nazarene. Ed was one of many members who worked on the construction and remodeling of the old Safeway building. When Pastor John Denney decided to enlarge the west side of the building to make a children’s department, Ed was one of the lead supervisors for the project along with Lester Braddock and L.C. Schwanz. Ed and Olive were always involved in all activities regarding the church. He loved his Lord and Savior.

Ed used a long vacation to fly to Alaska to help several others build a church in Anchor Point and repair another church in Homer. His wife and daughter went, too. They made good friends in the people they met there. In 1987, Ed and Olive bought a fifth-wheel trailer and drove the Alaska Highway and camped on the beach at Deep Creek and house-sat for the park ranger. The next three summers they were camp hosts on the beach. They were hired to manage apartments in Homer and remained there for 22.5 years. Ed bought a boat and named it Alyssa-Mariah after two of his granddaughters. Often he would take it out to fish for halibut and salmon. He also hunted some while in Alaska. When family or friends would visit, there was always fish or moose on the menu.

In 2008, Ed suffered a stroke and became paralyzed on his right side. He could no longer walk or speak. He spent that first year in Long Term care at South Peninsula Hospital. Then he was able to be cared for at home by Olive and his two sons, Terry and Randy.

In 2013, Olive moved Ed back to Portland where he was cared for by Olive, his daughter Sharla, and sons Randy and Gary. Although he couldn’t speak, he managed to get his point across to us. He had a clear mind and attitude. He able to go out in his motorized wheelchair to church or doctor appointments. He loved to go out to eat. He kept his humor throughout it all, and would play tricks on the nurses and bath aides who came into help. “We are all thankful for the wonderful care he received through Providence Home Health,” his family said.

Ed is survived his wife, Olive; his brother, Bill, of Utah; sons, Terry and his wife Donna of Alaska, Randy of Portland, and Gary of North Plains, Ore.; daughter, Sharla and her husband Ken of Portland; his foster son, David Miner, of Gresham, Ore., and foster daughter Cindy Latu of California. Ed has 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara.

Cards of condolence may be sent to Olive Scovell, 3606 North East 109th Ave., Portland, OR 97220. Please, because of winter storms, no flowers, please.