Barry Vern Tilson

Barry passed away on Oct. 20, 2019, following a long struggle with pancreatic cancer. Thanks to Hospice, he was at home in Lincoln, Wash., surrounded by family and friends at the time of his death.

The son of Harvey and Mildred Tilson, Barry was born on Sept. 26, 1945. He spent most of his life in Lincoln County in the Davenport, Creston and Wilbur area and graduated from Davenport High School in 1963. Barry married Karen Anyan on Dec. 9, 1966. They had three children and shared a life together for nearly 53 years.

Barry was a caring, warm-hearted man with a deep love of family, a great sense of humor, and a love of the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, gardening, playing cards and visiting casinos. He and Karen were famous for their frequent car trips throughout the western half of the U.S. and Canada, often accompanied by family members or friends.

As a young man, Barry spent time in the U.S. Army Reserves, worked briefly at a plant in Wisconsin while living with his sister Victoria and was later employed by the Lincoln Sawmill. Following its closure in 1982, he worked at a mill in Plumber, Idaho, and a chemical plant in Harrington before getting a job with the Washington State Department of Transportation working on the Keller Ferry for about 25 years, first as a deck-hand and then a pilot. Following his retirement, Barry and Karen moved from their home near the ferry landing on Lake Roosevelt to their new home in Lincoln.

Barry was preceded in death by his son, Sean, his parents Harvey and Mildred Tilson and brother, Terry Tilson. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughters Lisa (Eric) Konishi and Julie (Bob) Bandy, grandchildren Hannah and Blaine Bandy and Trey Konishi, sisters Victoria Goode, Joanne Mangis and Margie Wiley, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other members of a large extended family.

A service for Barry was held at the Creston Christian Church on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, with pastor Guy Schmielau officiating. If desired, memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.