Derrell Lakin

Derrell Lakin was born in Wichita, Kansas on August 13, 1933 to Thelma and Henry Lakin. In 1938, they relocated to Bellingham and lived at Silver Beach. Derrell graduated from Bellingham High School in 1951. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Army and served his active duty in Korea. In 1957, he began his career as a machinist at the Boeing Company. Derrell served on the apprenticeship board and worked on several interesting programs including: the Jetfoil, 707, 747, Minuteman, Lunar Orbiter, Lunar Rover, and the Saturn Apollo. He retired in July of 1994. On August 23, 1958, he married Janice Jensen in Bellingham. They lived in Seattle until May 1961 when they moved to their present home in Renton where they raised their children, Tami and Scott. Derrell enjoyed hiking, camping, skiing, elk hunting and fishing. He and Jan have gone on many trips, but his all- time favorite was their annual vacation to Kauai where many family and friends joined them over the past 28 years. Derrell loved to keep busy and meet new people. He attended his grandkids sporting events, regularly walked at Lake Washington and flew the United States flag every day. He loved to garden, go to the VFW on Thursdays for hamburger night and hosted the annual neighborhood party. Derrell was surrounded by family when he died on July 29, 2012 in Renton. He is survived by his wife, Janice of nearly 54 years, daughter Tami (Duane) Henkel, Maple Valley and son Scott Lakin, Spanaway. Papa Derrell will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Jeffrey and Alyse Henkel and Mac Lakin. Funeral services will be on Monday, August 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the Greenwood Memorial Park 350 Monroe Ave. NE Renton. A reception will follow at the Skyway VFW 7421 126th St. Seattle. 658303