Harry Oravetz

1927 - 2013 YAKIMA - Our wonderful father, husband, grandpa, and great-grandpa Harry Oravetz died peacefully on the morning of Friday, December 13th 2013 in his home. He was 86. His family is eternally grateful that he believed in Jesus as his savior and is now in heaven. Harry was born in Gardiner near Sequim, Washington and spent most of his childhood growing up in Curtis, WA. Along with his sister and brother, he enjoyed growing up and helping out on a farm. Harry’s father died when he was just nine, and Harry and his siblings helped their mother make ends meet during the depression era. He loved to drive cars, hunt for birds, deer, and elk. After graduation from high school, he joined the Army Air Corps, and was sent to the occupation of Japan after World War II. During his service, Harry was a P-51 mechanic. After returning to the states, he met and later married Marjorie from Puyallup, WA on December 15th 1951. The newlyweds moved to East Saint Louis for Harry to obtain a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After Harry graduated from college, he and Marjorie moved back to Seattle to start their family. Their first son John was born in 1955, and their second son Steve in 1957. Harry worked at Boeing as an engineer until 1960. They then moved to San Jose, CA, where he worked at Lockheed. In 1968 he took a job at Alameda Naval Air Station. Harry specialized in structural updates to naval P-3 aircraft. Harry retired in 1990, and then in 1999 he and Marjorie moved to Yakima to be closer to their sons and grandchildren. Marjorie passed away in 2007. His son John and his family still reside in Yakima. His son Steve and his family live in Missoula, MT. Harry has five grandchildren: Amy, Daniel, Logan, Benjamin, and Jessica, and one great-grandchild, Marlena. Harry loved to watch sports, tend his rose garden, visit his family, and share wild hunting stories. He was active in the Boy Scouts, and was a great hunter and fisherman. He especially loved his yearly hunting trip and salmon fishing off the coast of Washington. He enjoyed Sunday services at Westside Church. His Celebration of Life will be held at Johnny’s restaurant in Fife. Donations may be made to Westside Baptist Church, 6901 Summitview Ave., Yakima, WA 98908. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harry Oravetz, please visit our flower store.