Home > United States of America > Washington > Kittitas County > Ellensburg > IOOF Cemetery > Hugh Merle Colwell

Hugh Merle Colwell

Birth	:	3 Jun 1919 Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA
Death	:	2 Mar 2009 Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	IOOF Cemetery, Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate	:	47.0111008, -120.5188980
Inscription	:	MARRIED JAN 26, 1945
Description	:	Daily Record from Mar. 5 to Mar. 11, 2009 Former Kittitas County Assessor Hugh Colwell Called to Rest Life-long Ellensburg resident Hugh Merle Colwell passed on Monday, March 2, 2009 at age 89 after a short illness. Hugh was elected four times as the Kittitas County Assessor (serving from 1976 to 1987) and served as President of the Washington State Assessors Association. Born in Ellensburg June 3, 1919, Hugh was the fourth of six children born to Hiram Merle Colwell and Dora Irene Carey. Hugh was born and lived much of his life at the family home at 309 North Walnut. He graduated... Read More	Daily Record from Mar. 5 to Mar. 11, 2009 Former Kittitas County Assessor Hugh Colwell Called to Rest Life-long Ellensburg resident Hugh Merle Colwell passed on Monday, March 2, 2009 at age 89 after a short illness. Hugh was elected four times as the Kittitas County Assessor (serving from 1976 to 1987) and served as President of the Washington State Assessors Association. Born in Ellensburg June 3, 1919, Hugh was the fourth of six children born to Hiram Merle Colwell and Dora Irene Carey. Hugh was born and lived much of his life at the family home at 309 North Walnut. He graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1937. Hugh was one of the first Kittitas County residents to earn the rank of Eagle Scout and attended the first Boy Scout National Jamboree in Washington, D.C. in 1937 where he saw President Franklin Roosevelt. Hugh focused his athletic interest on track, competing in the mile for EHS and the mile and two-mile for the Central Washington State College in the late thirties. He competed for the Evergreen Conference Championship in the two-mile in but came in second when he lost his shoe and ran the last lap and a half barefoot on a cinder track. The Record noted his "intestinal fortitude" for that feat. Hugh attended the University of Washington, after transferring from Central, and worked at the Bethlehem Steel Plant in West Seattle. Hugh left his studies at the outset of World War II. Because of his vision, he was unable to join the armed forces. Instead, he served as a civilian secretary for the Army Corps of Engineers on Umnak Island in the Aleutians during the war. There he was witness to the Japanese air attacks on Dutch Harbor, during the invasion of Kiska and Attu. Following the war, Hugh worked for the Cascade Lumber Company in various locations, including White Swan, Washington, where he met and married Wilma Dyson in 1945. Hugh and Wilma returned to Ellensburg in 1947 where he worked as a scaler for Cascade. For many years he served as the Financial Secretary for his Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union local. After surviving several close calls in the woods and with a wife and several children to support, he took full time employment as an appraiser for the Kittitas County Assessor's Office in 1958. Over the years, Hugh served as Chief Appraiser and Deputy Assessor, before being elected County Assessor in 1975. Following his retirement in 1987, Hugh was recognized for outstanding service by the Washington Association of County Officials. A life-long Democrat, Hugh served as Chairman of the Kittitas County Democratic Central Committee in 1960. Hugh played a key Eastern Washington's role in the election of Albert Roselllini as Governor in 1956 and worked for the election of John Kennedy as President in 1960. Hugh and his wife Wilma were passionate bridge players and each achieved life master status. Following Hugh's retirement in 1987, they traveled extensively to compete in Bridge Tournaments. During his retirement, Hugh served as a member of the Ellensburg Parks Board and the Kittitas County Board of Appeals/Equalization. Since Wilma's death in 1994, Hugh has remained active; serving as President of the Retired Public Employees Association, gardening and enjoying his eight grandchildren (Jennifer Loy, Brian Colwell, Jacob & Carey Nickels, Andrew & Joseph Henderson, Delcinea & Nathan Whited) and four great-grandchildren. Hugh found joy in teaching bridge at the Senior Center where he met Virginia Hashagen. They too spent time playing bridge and attending tournaments. Hugh was preceded in death by his wife Wilma of forty-nine years and by brothers; Robert and Allen and sisters Mary Sheridan, Edith Colwell and Leah Curtin. He is survived by his sons: Bruce (Nicky) of Pittsburg, CA and Steven of Seattle, his daughters: Kathleen of Ellensburg, Sharon Nickels (Greg) of Seattle, Edie Henderson (Ross) of Bellevue and Ellie Whited of Fall City and his companion and bridge partner Virginia Hashagen of Ellensburg. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 14th at 12:30 p.m. A wake to celebrate Hugh's life will be held at the Ellensburg Best Western Lincoln Inn & Suites at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made the Nature Conservancy #2909712.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Hugh Merle Colwell's memorial?
Hugh Merle Colwell's memorial is located at: IOOF Cemetery, Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA.
When did Hugh Merle Colwell death?
Hugh Merle Colwell death on 2 Mar 2009 in Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Hugh Merle Colwell's memorial?
Latitude: 47.0111008
Longitude: -120.5188980

Family Members:

Parent

Hiram Merle Colwell

(1882 - 1955)

Dora Irene Carey Colwell

(1890 - 1975)

Spouse

Wilma Lucille Dyson Colwell

(1927 - 1994)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. IOOF Cemetery
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0111008, -120.5188980

2. Holy Cross Cemetery
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0101000, -120.5669000

3. Old German Baptist Brethren Church Cemetery
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9279000, -120.4746000

4. High Valley Memorial Park
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0144540, -120.6521270

5. Thorp Cemetery
Thorp, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0502000, -120.6727000

6. Thorp-Splawn Pioneer Cemetery
Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0800000, -120.7249000

7. Wymer Cemetery
Wymer, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8267433, -120.4617911

8. Swauk Prairie Cemetery
Cle Elum, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2019005, -120.7431030

9. Wenas Cemetery
Selah, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7743988, -120.6243973

10. Naches Cemetery
Naches, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7299530, -120.6896990

11. Selah Pioneer Cemetery
Selah, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6720000, -120.5140000

12. Greenwood Historic Cemetery
South Cle Elum, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1751000, -120.9647700

13. Laurel Hill Memorial Park
Cle Elum, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1967010, -120.9591980

14. Stemilt Hill Cemetery
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3330994, -120.2596970

15. Peterson Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9216995, -121.0421982

16. Nelson Pioneer Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6404310, -120.5831510

17. Cowiche Natchez Cemetery
Cowiche, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6490840, -120.6885330

18. Ingalls Creek Cemetery
Peshastin, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3827780, -120.6533340

19. Pat King Burial Site
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3846940, -120.6553890

20. Roslyn Memorial Gardens
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2198000, -120.9977000

21. Lithuanian Cemetery
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2195000, -120.9985000

22. New City Cemetery
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2198000, -120.9986500

23. Croatian Cemetery #2
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2194224, -120.9990299

24. Moose Cemetery
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2196500, -120.9992000