John W. Proctor, 86, of Montesano died on June 19, 2021, at Montesano Health & Rehab.

John was born on Sept. 11, 1934, at home in the Wishkah Valley to Mildred (Benner) and Thomas York Proctor. The youngest of 11 children, John graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1953.

On April 15, 1954, John married Gloria Gordon. They lived in Aberdeen until John retired, and they moved to soap Lake where they lived for 20 year before they moved to Montesano in the Country Estates Mobile Home Park.

He served in the US Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines, California and Oregon. He then went to work for ITT Rayonier until his retirement. He was a past president of the Hoquiam Eagles.

He enjoyed working in his vegetable gardens that he had everywhere he lived. He also loved fishing, camping and spending every July at Curlew Lake for the past 40 years with his family.

He was unable to drive for the last 40 years because of his eyesight, but he walked every day to collect his mail and visit with neighbors.

He is survived by daughters: Mary (Jerry) Austin of Olympia, Cathy (Tom) Jackson of Central Park and “adopted” daughter Irene (Joe) Hopke of Monroe and grandchildren: Shawna and Brad Austin, Cassie (Marshall) Lentz, Hollie Jackson, Ben Hopke, Monica (Lane) Seaford and Clint Hopke; and great-grandchildren: Pandora Shelton, Ellery and Romy Lentz and Shaylin and Lane Seaford.

He is preceded in death by his wife Gloria, his parents; brothers Harold, Elton, TY, Willard and Jim; and sisters Edna, Edith, Louise, Emma and Virginia.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday July 31, 2021 at Country Estates Clubhouse 57 Clemons Rd in Montesano, Washington.

Memorial donations can be made to The Montesano Community Center (Attn: Lunch Program) 314 S Main Street, Montesano WA 98563