Obituary of Philip LaVerne Whitford

Philip LaVerne “Phil” Whitford, born May 13, 1953 in Erie, Pennsylvania, died at his home in Olympia, Washington, on April 26, 2014. Phil joined the Army when he graduated from high school and was stationed at Fort Lewis, where he met his future wife, Mary McEvers. Phil and Mary were married on August 1, 1980, in Olympia. Phil was diagnosed with dementia in 2011 and, early in 2014, was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. Mary was Phil’s primary caregiver throughout his illness. The disease moved very rapidly and Phil died due to complications from the dementia/MND. Phil is survived by his wife, Mary E. (McEvers) Whitford of Olympia; son, Bryon D. Whitford of Olympia; parents, Glenn and Betty Whitford of Conneaut, Ohio; sisters, Laurel Ring of Conneaut, Pam Moon of Greenwood, Indiana, Cheryl Henry of Wise, West Virginia, and Chris Copple of Erie, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles. When Phil completed his tour in the service, he worked as a security guard for the Olympia Brewery until the brewery closed. He then went to work for Briggs Nursery where he developed a love for flowers. His love for horticulture is evident by looking at the yard where he lived with his wife Mary. Both the front and back yards are a vibrant display of rhododendrons and azaleas of many colors – yellows, blues, oranges, whites, purples and many other many variegated colors. Phil planted all of the flowers in his yard, tilled the soil by hand (he wouldn’t use a rototiller), and carefully planted his and Mary’s favorites plants. Phil loved the outdoors. He loved camping, especially at Kalaloch and Lake Walput, hiking and climbing mountains. An avid walker, Phil took daily walks at Priest Point Park. When he was unable to go walking by himself, he had a senior companion who walked with him. Phil continued his walks up to October of 2013, when sadly he was no longer mobile and, therefore, had to discontinue the walks. If there was a trail Phil didn’t walk, then it doesn’t exist. Phil loved playing video games and would play for hours until dementia took away his memory of how to work a computer. Phil loved God and many times God showed his hand by saving Phil from danger. On April 26, 2014, God choose to take Phil home to walk the trails of heaven forever. He will never be forgotten by the many people who loved him. Please leave memories of Phil or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.