Gerald E. Stearns

Dayton resident - Gerald E. Stearns, 84, died July 21 at Washington Odd Fellows Home, 534 Boyer Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington.

The graveside service will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the Dayton City Cemetery. Following the ser­vice

there will be a gathering of friends and family at the Dayton Park. Gerald was born March 21, 1926, in Pomeroy, Wash­ington, to Everett and Nettie Lacey Stearns. He lived his whole life in the Dayton area. On Dec.14, 1953, he and Iris Casey married in Walla Wal­la. He received a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Idaho in Moscow. He taught high school math for a time, then became a farmer, retiring in 2000. He cared deeply about his family. He loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and had a fondness for barn cats. He was a legacy member of the National RifleAssociation.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Iris, residing at the Odd Fellows Home; two sons, Clarence Stearns and John Stearns; two sisters, Elaine McCauley and Juanita Works; a brother, William Stearns; three grandchildren: Stephanie McGee, Jared Stearns and Greg Stearns; and three great-grandchil­dren: Shea and Savannah McGee and Graesun Stearns. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Stearns, and a sister, Mary Snow.