Obituary of Benard Dew

Veiwing at 9:00 a.m. Benard Delaney Dew Benard Delaney Dew passed away at the age 64, on March 10, 2012, in Olympia, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Debbie L. Dew (Olympia, Washington); daughter, Chalice R. Dew-Johnson and husband Patrick J. Johnson; grandchildren, Quinten and Kayla Johnson (Bellingham, Washington); son, Benard A. Dew and stepson, David A. Miller (Olympia, Washington); stepdaughter, Katie M. Martin-Dew (Vancouver, Washington); brother, Howard Rogers (Seattle, Washington); four sisters, Harriet Williams, Ola Miller, and Gail Dew (all of Seattle, Washington), and Shirlee Dew-Lowe (Tacoma, Washington); and many nieces and nephews. He was previously married for 33 years to Linda Armstrong, the mother of his two children. Benard was born in Seattle, Washington on October 6, 1947. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ola B. Dew and Grover Dew. He graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington in 1967. He received a football scholarship to Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Washington. He then received a football and wrestling scholarship to Weber State University in Utah where he graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and received the Big Sky Conference award for wrestling. Before he started his emergency management career, he was a physical education teacher for six months. He was a member of the Washington State Emergency Management Division from 1971-1998, while also running his personal business, Can Dew BBQ from 1980-1989. In 1998, Benard joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency with the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA), where he worked until his passing. Throughout his life, Benard enjoyed many hobbies that included coaching fastpitch, soccer, and baseball, and being a motivational speaker to troubled youth. His main hobby was enjoying everything life had to offer. He had many personality traits but he will be best remembered by his tenacity, generosity, charisma, being a positive motivator, and living for the moment. He was a master story teller, loving, caring, and hilarious. For these and many more reasons he will forever be loved and missed by all the lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Washington State Employee Credit Union (WSECU) Benard D. Dew Memorial Fund, P.O. Box WSECU, Olympia, WA 98507. Please leave memories of Benard or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.