Chester L. Feil
October 14, 1921 - July 10, 2011
Obituary
Chester Lawrence Feil was born outside of Wheatland, WY near a railroad stop called Bordeaux on October 14th, 1921. He was the oldest of four brothers. Initially he was held back a year so he and his younger brother Fred could ride the same horse to school a few miles away. He lived on this farm until he was in junior high when his Dad moved the family to Dallas, Oregon. After two years in Dallas his Dad moved the family back to Wheatland again to take care of the family farm. This time Chester stayed in town to attend high school and worked in the local hardware and grocery stores. During these years he enjoyed his free time outdoors. Often times rounding up wild horses and selling them to local ranchers, climbing the local “Devils Tower” and shooting at prairie dogs to see how high they would jump. At the end of High School WWII came calling and he enlisted as a cook, but ultimately ended up taking medical training and becoming a personal assistant to one of the Army’s Surgeons located in Texas. After he received his Honorable discharge, he found his way back to Dallas where he worked as a machinist for the Gerlinger Carrier Company. While in Dallas he met Ruth Reimer and on April 26th, 1946 they married. As work began to slow in Dallas, he found new work at the Boeing Company in Seattle as a craftsman and machinist. While there, he took evening courses in electrical training. With this education, he became a State Certified Electrician for the Boeing Company. Soon after this, he found new work at the Highline School District in south Seattle area. He worked for 14 years for Highline, and then was offered a promotion to come work for Mercer Island School district where he stayed until his retirement. His interest in electronics led to becoming an Amateur Radio operator or “Ham” as they called themselves. As apart of the West Seattle Ham Radio association, he helped with the local Civil Defense program and Seattle Seafair events during the summer for many years. During this time, he started his own company Scoreboard Parts and Service. He spent hours after work and on the weekends building this business in Washington State. Quickly the business grew and he became known in the greater northwest as “Mr. Scoreboard”. This led to the interest by a little known company in North Dakota; Daktronics that eventfully bought his company. Throughout his life Chester relied on his faith in God to provide him with purpose for his life. He was always active in the churches that he attended. Serving as a Deacon, Trustee, or on various committees, and running the audio system for services. His main love was for Missions, often serving as the Committee Chairman. During his retirement, Chet and Ruth traveled the world many times to research genealogy and visit missionaries that he and wife supported. In his later years, he lived in West Seattle and enjoyed his many friends, growing Fuchsia’s and working for the city, state and federal elections. Eventually he moved to Boulevard Park Place adult living community and stayed there continuing to travel occasionally, attending class reunions in Wheatland, and listening to Gospel Music performances. Chet always had a love of music, photography, gardening and fishing that he passed on to his children. Many of his photos are used in brochures promoting Boulevard Park Place where he lived for 12 years. With his declining health, he moved to Château at Valley Center to find assistance until his death from rapid-onset Leukemia/Lymphoma on Sunday July 10, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Ruth, his children Jack, Jane, and Bruce, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the following:
Boulevard Presbyterian Church – Missions Fund
1822 South 128th St.
Burien, WA 98168
Or
Union Gospel Mission
3800 South Othello St.
Seattle, WA 98118
Chester will be interned at Washington Memorial Park
16445 International Blvd
SeaTac, WA 98188