Obituary of Jules I. Grele

Jules I. Grele Jules I. Grele, 66, passed away at Providence St. Peter Hospital CCU, on Thursday, January 26, 2012, which was also his and his wife, Sally’s, 27th wedding anniversary. Jules passed away peacefully with Sally, and their daughter, Jeni Venables, by his side. Pastor Gary Todd was there to help Jules’ family and to comfort Jules during his passing, with God’s love and compassion, friendship, and prayer. Jules fought the good fight and he never gave up his will to live and to beat the lung cancer he was diagnosed with in October of 2011. His body just was too weak to fight any longer. He lived with “comfort care” until the end. Jules was born on Valentines Day, February 14, 1945, to Erma “Pat” (Grele) Lowry and Isidore “Izzy” Grele, at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma. Jules attended grade school in Olympia. His parents moved him to Morton where he attended Morton High School and then, in 1962, when he was 17 years old, he obtained his GED, and enlisted in the United States Army, where he served our country for three years as a dental specialist and medic at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His Grandmother had taught him how to iron clothing as a young boy and he did it so well that he ironed all of his army buddy’s uniforms for pay! Jules was honorably discharged in 1965, at which time, he returned to Washington State. Jules attended OTCC in Centralia to obtain his general requirements. When he was 30, Jules attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, where he achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies Land Use Planning in 1981. Both Jules and his Mother were so proud of him for being the first in their family to attend college and to graduate! He came back to Olympia upon his graduation. In July of 1982, Jules met “the love of his life” Sally (Olsen/Venables). They married on January 26, 1985 at the capitol rotunda in Olympia and had a huge reception at the Governor House afterwards. He was working with Mark Johnson Marine when the couple met and then he went to work with the Washington State Legislature in 1985 as a driver, and then because they all liked Jules and recognized his potential, he was hired as a House of Representatives Committee Clerk. After Jules had attempted to obtain work in his education field for several years, and was unsuccessful, he ended up “buying himself a job” with his good friend and business partner, Dan Dershay, in 1986. He and Dan owned and operated the 4th Ave Tav in downtown Olympia for eight years at which time they sold the business. Jules branched out on his own and purchased the J & M Mining Company near Tenino on October 1, 1994, but he changed the name to the Powder Keg Tavern (thought up by Sally!), and later with his purchase of a new liquor license, it became the Powder Keg Bar & Grill. Because Jules lived the majority of his life in Thurston County and with his great humor, jokes, and mischievous character (in the prankish sense), most everyone loved him at first meeting. He knew how to entertain people and, even when he was in and out of consciousness on Wednesday and unable to talk due to the ventilator in his trachea, he still entertained his friends and family who came to visit him at PSPH-CCU that last day before he passed away on Thursday. Jules loved to golf, and was a member of the Olympia Country and Golf Club since July 25, 1989. Jules is a past member of the Olympia Elks Club, and the Yuma, Arizona Moose. When he was younger, he was an excellent boxer (feather weight.) He was an excellent sailor and he crewed on sailboat races when living in Bellingham during his college years. He also took family and friends on many sailboat trips in Budd Inlet. Jules was an excellent pool player, loved card games, played a mean game of cribbage, and played men’s baseball for the House of Reps as pitcher. He was a comedian and a jokester, and loved magic. When he was a boy, he dreamed of becoming a magician. He also loved fishing in Sitka, Alaska with friends for the last many years. More than once while in the hospital, Jules told me how honored he felt with all the friends and family who came to visit with him, sent him get well cards, and called him or Sally on the phone to wish him the best. He expressed his love and thanks to you all who have been praying for his health, sending him good vibes, and sending him your energy to “get well.” Jules is survived by his wife, Sally; his daughter, Jeni; his most faithful and beloved companion for the last eight years of Jules' life, PK, his beautiful black lab "guard dog" and friend to all at the Powder Keg, and Jules' "best friend;" his nephews, Jeff Barnes, and Tom (Angie) Barnes; and great niece, Tara Stevens. He also has cousins, Beverly and Jayne in Montana and Darlene in Arizona. He was predeceased by his dad, Izzy Grele; his sister, Carol (Barnes) Purdy; his mom, Pat Lowry; his great niece, Sabrina Barnes (at the young age of 17); his aunt, Pauline; and numerous generations of family. Since Jules was a registered organ donor, “Sightlife,” which works with PSPH, called us and asked us to apply for Jules to be able to donate his corneas so that two people might be blessed with corneal transplants and the gift of sight. Jules would have been honored to know that he was able to donate his corneas! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: City Gates Ministries, PMB 108, 1910 E. 4th Ave, Olympia, WA 98506; Community Youth Services (Foster Care Program), 411 State Ave. NE, Olympia, WA 98506; or Sightlife at www.sightlife.org., or the charity of your choice. Family and friends are invited to Jules’ Open House-Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to closing, at the Powder Keg Bar & Grill, 12743 Old Hwy 99 SE, Tenino, WA 98589. Phone (360) 264-5076. Please leave memories of Jules or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.