JERRY BLADES

Longtime La Conner resident and volunteer firefighter Jerry Blades died in his sleep at his house in Mount Vernon on Saturday night, February 14. He was 86 years old.

Jerry was a dedicated volunteer firefighter in La Conner. A few years ago, even in his 80s, Jerry was on the roof at Town Hall helping to move the old fire siren out to the fire station on the edge of town.

Jerry and his wife Donna had been married 63 years when she died in 2010. Jerry was also preceded in death by all three of his children, David Blades, Linda Hansen and Lucy Gill.

He is survived by his granddaughters Lisa Judy of La Conner and Sheree Pennington and Sara Miller and his great-grandchildren Brandon Atwood, Britini Gallagher, Bryan Pennington, Lee Dougherty, Jayden Dougherty and Owen Miller.

The family is planning a celebration of life to be held later. A full obituary will be published later.

In the meantime, the family suggests that donations in Jerry’s name be made to the La Conner Firemen’s Association, PO Box 2102, La Conner, WA 98257.