| Graduation Year | Class of 1958 |
| Date of Passing | Oct 14, 2005 |
| About | Gary Warren Webster, 65, passed onto a better place on October 14, 2005. Gary was born on July 11, 1940 in Yakima, WA to Gordon and Dorothy (Dawson) Webster. Gary married the love of his life, Phyllis on March 14, 1969. Gary was blessed with four wonderful children; Sons Mike Webster, John and wife Val Webster, daughters Carol and husband Todd Pogorelc, Kristal and husband Chris George. Gary's biggest joy for the past 14 years was his granddaughter Andrea Pogorelc. He attended Yakima area schools and graduated in the first graduating class from Eisenhower High School in 1958. Following two years at Yakima Valley College, he joined his parents on a full-time basis in the family's retail grocery business, Highland Market. Gary began his Chamber career in August 1968 as the Assistant Manager of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce. In September 1971 he became the General Manager of the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, returning to Yakima in September 1977 as the General Manager of the Yakima Chamber. Many of Gary's lifetime acknowledgements include: Yakima Jaycee Distinguished Service Award in 1979; Citizen of the Year by the Yakima Board of Realtors in 1984; Phi Delta Kappa in 1988 for his ongoing contribution to education programs; Paul Harris Fellow-Rotary Foundation of Rotary International during the 75th anniversary in 1992. Gary was the creator of the Yakima County Development Association/New Vision; led the formation drive and served as the chair of the Business Coalition of Central Washington; was the author of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce' Initiatives 2000 program which was the beginning of the Business Education Partnership; coordinated the local funding plan for the construction of the Yakima Valley Sundome; developed the original presentation package to attract the Sun Kings franchise; helped to build the Leadership Yakima program; worked with area legislators to get needed monies to construct the four-year degree program at YVCC; he was a force behind leading Yakima to the All America City designation in 1994. He has been a behind the scene person in many arenas in the Yakima area. Gary's interest in politics was recognized on February 21, 2003 with the distinct honor of a Resolution from the Washington State House of Representatives stating, "recognize and honor Gary Webster for his outstanding achievements and dedicated efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of the Greater Yakima area and all the citizens of Washington State." Gary was also honored this year with the prestigious Ted Robertson Community Service Tribute. He loved to work with wood and built many fine pieces of furniture for his family. He also enjoyed gardening and working in his greenhouse. He had a real knack for growing things. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation, 2142 NW Overton St., Portland, OR 97210; The American Red Cross, Yakima Valley Chapter, 302 S. 2nd St., Yakima, WA 98901 or the charitable organization of your choice. Visitation will be held from noon until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. A celebration of Gary's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2005 at First Presbyterian Church. Concluding services and burial will follow at West Hills Memorial Park. To celebrate the life of Gary please visit our web site at www.mem.com. The family would like to thank the staffs of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Garden Village, Yakima Regional Rehabilitation Center and Yakima Dialysis Center for their patience and care of our beloved husband and father. And a special thank you to Drs. Gabriel Lascar and Karen Harrison for their care. You are the wind beneath our wings; you light up our lives. We love you Gary, Dad and Grandpa. Yakima Herald-Republic (WA) - Monday, October 17, 2005 ************** Gary Webster served as president and CEO of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce for 36 years. He received the award the same year he retired from his chamber position. He was recognized for his work in a number of areas including his involvement in the creation of the Yakima County Development Association and in a regional cleanup effort after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. He was also one of the creators of the Ted Robertson Community Service Award. |
