WILLIAM L. GANT

                                08/12/40  -  07/26/2021 

Willam ‘Bill” Gant, loving husband, father, grandfather (Papa), and great-grandfather - truly the quintessential  family patriarch - passed away Mon., July 26 at Chaplaincy Hospice House, Kennewick, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Bill was born on August 12, 1940 in Outlook, WA, where he grew up and attended school.  It was here he met Ray Johnson, Mac Chambers, and Bob Thomas, with whom he established lifelong friendships.  He graduated from Sunnyside High School as a proud member of the class of 59.  After graduation, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Hoff, and attended Western Washington University, obtaining his undergraduate degree in Education.  He went on to earn his Graduate Degree from Eastern Washington University.  A life long athlete, during this time, Bill was very active in many community basketball and soft ball leagues.  Most of Bill’s life was spent in Sunnyside, until 2013, when he and Juanita relocated to Horn Rapids in Richland, to be closer to family and golf.

Bill lived an extraordinary life.  Professionally, some of his proudest moments were the many rewarding years he spent as the Principal of Sunnyside High School, and especially those spent as Athlete Director, and his years serving as the WIAA District 5 Executive Director, achieving his goal of providing opportunities for all kids to participate in extracurricular activities. He also had the honor of serving as a public member of the Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as serving as an elected member of the Sunnyside City Council.  

As recognition for all his years of service, Bill received a number of awards, most notably the Sunnyside High School Wall of Fame, and the WIAA Hall of Fame.

Extraordinary professional achievements aside, Bill greatest accomplishment was family.  He was married to the love of his life, Juanita, for 59 years.  During that time, he basked in the joy of watching his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids (“the littles”) grow and flourish. He is survived by wife, Juanita Gant, Richland; children:  Laroy Gant (Jenni), North Bend; Stacey Stearns (Ed), West Richland; Caryn Slack (Steve), Puyallup; Casey Gant (Becky), Richland; 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and sister, Judy Rand. 

As a devout member of Christ the King Catholic Church, there will be a Rosary at the Chapel at Einan’s Funeral Home (915 Bypass Highway on July 30 at 6:00. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 at Christ the King Catholic Church (1111 Stevens Drive, Richland), immediately follow by graveside services at the Einan’s Memorial Gardens.  A reception will follow at the Chapel of Einan’s. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chaplaincy Hospice House (The MOST amazing people in the world), 2108 W Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336

                   

                   Michael Henry Martin

Michael Henry Martin, 79, of Richland passed away on Thursday evening, April 24th, 2020, at Kadlec Medical Center from a short bout with COVID-19. Mike, or "Mickey", or "Mick" was born January 14, 1941 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the 3rd of 6 children to Henry and Margaret Martin. Mike grew up in Sunnyside, the family moved to Kennewick in 1958 where he graduated from KHS ('59). He married Elizabeth "Sally" Phipps in 1961, then moved to Pasco in 1964 where they raised 3 children Molly, Michael, and John. Family always came first for Mike and Sally and as grandparents, Mike and Sally loved to spoil their grandchildren. They made every attempt to attend all their children and grandchildren's events including concerts, games, presentations. In their later years, the calendar was set by activities surrounding the grandkids and then right on schedule came the great-grandkids. They brought so much joy to their lives. By trade, Mike was a journeyman carpenter and steamfitter, working mostly through UA Local 598 in Pasco. He seldom talked about the work except to relay a story about the people he worked with. Mike cared very much about relationships and always took the time to foster those relationships by setting the right example. It contributed to him being a very popular foreman, general-foreman and superintendent on all his jobs. Mike is survived by his 3 children, 11 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sally, brother, Doyle, and a great-grandchild. Due to social distancing requirements his Celebration of Life will take place sometime this summer. We will send notification to friends and family regarding timing. Mike's family would like to thank essential workers, first-responders, and all hospital employees for their contributions and sacrifices in combatting this horrible virus. A special thank you goes out to the staff of Kadlec Medical Center for making us and our father comfortable through his passing.

                   Arthur Irving Driscoll Jr.

September 11, 1941 – May 11, 2020
Loving husband, Father of two, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and War Veteran turned Cowboy and friend. 
Art was born September 11, 1941, to Arthur Sr. and Helen Driscoll in Rhode Island. He passed peacefully from a long goodbye with Alzheimer’s at “Caring First” home in Lynnwood, Washington. Special thanks to his caretakers, Jared, Stanley, and the Hospice Angel on Earth workers that were with him until the end. 
In 1949 Art at the age of 8, his brother, Mark at age 5, and youngest brother, David age 2 left Rhode Island on a three week journey to reside in Sunnyside in Eastern Washington. 
In 1957, Arthur Sr. left Hanford to move the family to Ballard, Washington. It was there Art first met Joyce, at MYF, Methodist Youth Fellowship Camp. In 1959 they started dating. 
In 1962 they parted when Joyce went off to college at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. Art simultaneously joined the military. He was stationed first at the White House as a guard. Following several months he was redeployed to Germany for two years. When Art got notice that his assignment would end moving him to Fort Lewis, Washington, he phoned Joyce to see if she had married. The International operator who connected the lines extended the heartwarming phone call that reignited a relationship. Art returned to Washington rekindling the relationship that led to a beautiful marriage. Art and Joyce wed at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ballard, Washington on May 29, 1964. 
Art was redeployed soon after being married to Vietnam. For the newlyweds this was not easy and they wrote often. 
When Art returned he started working for the City of Seattle doing electrical repair. On September 5, 1967, Art began as an Apprentice working for Seattle City Light. He worked up the ladder to Journeyman Electrician, and retired as a Crew Chief on January 14, 1994. He returned on a Consultative basis teaching the New Hire apprenticeship program. He was liked by many. At Art’s retirement party his kids learned of his work nick name, laughingly not to be mentioned. Art was known to make his specialty omelets for the office workers every year at Christmas time. Art and Joyce also hosted his office counterparts and crew out at the farm for a barbecue. Art carpooled almost two decades with two gentlemen, who became dear friends and like family. 
Holly Anne was born on December 29, 1966 nine months after Art returned from Vietnam. She was born in a Quonset hut in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Holly shares the same birth date as Art’s brother, Mark and his Father, Arthur Sr. 
Art’s second child, Todd Vincent was born June 15, 1970. Todd arrived three weeks early. He was small, only 17 inches and weighing 4 lbs. 12oz. 
Over the course of his life, Art had two children, Holly and Todd, 1 grandchild, Alyssa, and 1 great grandson, Finn. He dearly loved his New Zealand, Eastern and Western Washington, London, Kentucky, Arizona and California based families. He always wanted more time with them and treasured the time he had. With the progression of Alzheimer’s he sadly never got to know his great grandson, Finn. 
Art had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed motorcycle riding. He and Joyce would take weekend rides with a roll of toilet paper mounted to the seat. He bought Todd his first motorcycle at age 5 from Larry Ward Sr., whose son Larry soon became a famous dirt bike rider. 
He loved boxing. So much so you didn’t want to sit next to him with his body swaying and punch jabs going here and there. His favorite was Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. The kids were subjected to watching a good match each and every time one was on. 
When Art’s viewpoint on horses moved from hay-burners to joining Holly in horsemanship clinics, that’s when Art turned Cowboy. He took up cow cutting and showed in competitions in Cow Cutting and in halter. He was able to win some monetary prizes for his abilities. 
Art loved boating in the San Juan Islands where they honeymooned. He and Joyce built their first boat, “The We Donnit”. They continued boating each and every year staying on Orcas Island, in the San Juans. He loved crabbing, fishing and all the good fish tales that went along with it. One story stands out. Art and brother in-law Dale McDaniel were out along lovers cover of Orcas Island when their skiff was raised out of the water by an Orca Whale. That is one of the largest true fish tales ever told. 
In the early 70’s, over an ad for baby ducks, Art and Joyce met John and Helen McMahon. Over the course of Art’s life, they became family, an adopted father figure and grandfather. This particular story is a true keepsake. One year with other fellas Art and John McMahon were up in the Blue Mountains hunting Elk, it was winter at the time and snow was commonplace, but on this trip it was a true winter storm at a very high elevation and was ridiculously deep and falling fast. Art was out alone in the woods when the storm hit that morning. Throughout the day he tried finding his way to camp with no luck, firing his 30.06 rifle from time to time hoping he could be heard and was fearful he wouldn’t be found and was on the verge of giving up. Meanwhile, John McMahon and a couple of his sons are in their Jeep doing their best to maneuver through the mountains and snow to find Art, every once in a while stopping and yelling his name. They too were about to give up and head back to camp, its pitch black out and the snow is continuing to amass. On the last attempt before they head back, John had out his blessed old Irish rosary that he had through the majority of his life and said a prayer. Minutes after, he got out of the jeep and thought he saw something in the distance, and he yelled, “Art, is that you?” It was and he was found and pulled into the Jeep where they headed back to camp and focused on getting Art well. Throughout the years, every time John would come to visit, as a greeting he’d say, “Art, is that you?” Art would smile every time hearing those words from his friend and give him a big hug, quietly remembering this near life changing event, and soon after sharing some good 18 year old scotch and they’d tell stories for hours and hours.
Art had a relationship with the Lord. He had a big Irish heart and loved his Irish roots, Irish music, country music, Neil Diamond and an ice cold beer and a good Scotch. 
He loved his Frederick and Nelson train set that he staged around the living room every year at Christmas time. Joyce made custom cars for it and it was a highlight staging piece for the Holidays. Santa left his favorite Scotch in one car every year, and family all knew who that was for.
Art was preceded in death by his Mother, Helen Driscoll, Father, Arthur Driscoll Sr., Father in-law, Vince Nelson, Mother in-law, Marjorie Nelson, Sister in-law, Dora Driscoll, Cousin, Dick Caldwell, Cousin, Wayne Hall, Cousin, Marilyn Hall, and Brother in-law, Dale McDaniel.
He is survived by Wife, Joyce Driscoll, Daughter, Holly Ihrig, Son, Todd Driscoll, Daughter in-law, Denise Driscoll, Son in-law, Mark Ihrig, Granddaughter, Alyssa Quam, Grandson, Colton Quam, and Great Grandson, Finn Quam, Step Granddaughter, Kara Ihrig, Step Grandson, Tyler Ihrig, Brother, Mark Driscoll, Brother, David Driscoll, Brother in-law, Dale Grothe, Sister in-law, Doris Grothe, Sister in-law, Carolyn Davis, Brother in-law, Julius Davis, Sister in-law, Malvene and siblings. 
A celebration of his life will be intimate. By Art’s wishes his ashes will be sprinkled in the San Juan Islands and on Joyce and Art’s property.