Lifelong Grays Harbor resident Dennis Dean Harke passed away Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. in Puyallup. He was 62.
Dennis was born April 1, 1960. in Aberdeen, Washington to David and Guilynn (Rhoden) Harke. He was raised in Cosmopolis and graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1978. He then learned the carpentry trade at Grays Harbor College under the mentorship of Chet Ekman.
Dennis started and ran his own company, Harke Construction, from 1980 to 2008. He most recently worked for McMeekin Construction, with a team of craftsmen that he thoroughly enjoyed working with each day.
Dennis loved watching old westerns — a few of his favorites were “Gunsmoke,” “The Rifleman” and “Big Jake” — and researching the history behind the fictionalized events. Fun fact: A lot of productions used historically inaccurate props and Dennis was not afraid to call them out!
Woodworking was Dennis’ passion, and he loved repurposing woodworking equipment into art to display. He took inspiration from Greene & Greene craftsmanship, especially The Gamble House.
Dennis had a fond appreciation of the development of infrastructure and often utilized Google Earth to compare photos of cities and buildings then and now.
He was a member of the Lions Club of Aberdeen.
Dennis is remembered by friends and family alike as a fun and loving individual who cared deeply for those around him. He was a reliable, honest, and creative man.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife Marilyn Harke of the family home, two sons: David of Aberdeen and Devan (Sheena) of Kirkland, his mother Guilynn Harke of Cosmopolis, brother David (Debbie) Harke of Salem, Oregon; and sister Dawndi (Joe) Hanson of Spokane, Washington; nephew, Ross (Teresa) Harke, and nieces: Jai (Scotty) Harke-Rogers, Dannica (Brian) Shaffer and Haliegh Hanson as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life is planned for Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Grays Harbor Foursquare Church at 1 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the Brain Injury Association of Washington, American Heart Association, Children’s Heart Association or Pasado’s Safe Haven.
To share memories or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com
