Clarence Earl Vanatta
May 31, 1936 - February 6, 2013
Obituary
Clarence Earl Vanatta
Enjoyed Singing and Dancing
Clarence Earl Vanatta died at home on February 6, 2013 at the age of 76. He was widowed by the love of his life Charlotte Vanatta 18 years ago.
Clarence Earl Vanatta has been a resident of Kent since 1986. He was retired from The City of Seattle Engineering department after 30 years as a Traffic Marking Lead and retired from Kent School District after 15 years of as a Head Custodian. He enjoyed fishing, camping, singing and dancing. Especially singing karoke with friends at the Golden Steer.
He is survived by two sons, Glen Vanatta of Federal Way Wa., Joshua Vanatta of Kent Wa. Three daughters, Linda VanZandt and Terri Graves of Kent and Holly Sexton of Lynnwood Wa. Two sisters Kaye Curtis of Bothell Wa.and Vicki Vanatta of Spokane Wa. ,Three brothers William Vanatta of Seattle, Jerry Vanatta of Spokane, Roger Vanatta of Bolder Colorado. He was survived by 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Clarence Vanatta is a hero to many of his loved ones and he will live on in our hearts.
Services will be held on Friday February 15, 2013 at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Funeral Home in SeaTac at 2pm, with burial at Washington Memorial Park at 3pm.
Clarence is also survived by his step-family who has been a part of his life for the last 17 years. He was a significant part of our family and had a huge part in raising me since I was just young when he and my mom were married. We shared many memories, and a lot of love, laughter and frustration. He and I always shared the love of music and he loved when I was old enough to karaoke with him. He accompanied me to all my high school “Daddy-Daughter Dinner dances” and we were always the talk of the town with all his “smooth moves”. We were friends, he was Sucka and I his Little Sucka. He adored my niece Megan, and came up with all kinds of fun nicknames for her, like he did all the grandkids. They were best friends and spent nearly everyday together for the first 13 years of her life. They would sing and play, and I’m so glad we have those moments captured on film. We have so many “Clarence-isms” in our family that we still use to this day. He made us laugh, cry, smile, sing. He will be missed by all of us, very much. Dance on, Clarence. We love you and will see you again.
Rest in Peace, C. Our family loved you very much and ejoyed the last 15+ years you were a part of it. It’s too bad we didn’t get to spend more time together. Cheers~
We have so many wonderful memories, penny poker, picnic dinners during your dinner breaks, dancing and singing. 15 years ago he knew I was having a girl swore by it and he was right, every day asking how his girl was doing! He loved Megan and she loved him. The only grandpa she ever knew. Sunday dinners at our house, sleeping in the recliner after a good meal, holidays with the family, fishing, playing volleyball, coining the phrase back the h*** up and playing board games. Clarence thank you for all the memories and for loving and taking care of my Mom, Elizabeth and Josh. For being the best grandpa to Megan. Thank you for the laughs and the joy. You were a good man and did good by my family. I will always love and respect you. Rest in peace and know that our family loved you.
Rest in peace Clarence. I enjoyed having you in my life and our family’s life very much and I’m going to miss you. Until we meet again.
Hey Big Man,
I enjoyed bantering with you on the back deck and will miss that. As different as we seemed to be, we were a lot alike. I think the word that describes us best is stubborn. I have always respected what you said, I didn’t always agree, but respected it nonetheless. I know the last couple of years were tough for you. The sparkle had left your eyes and, quite honestly, it was hard to watch. The last couple weeks, I saw that sparkle come back. The old C was back; the one I really liked and will miss greatly. It was so cute (a word I rarely use) to see you look into Di’s eyes and watch you two hold hands like you were teenagers. Some said you were “not all there”, but I’d have to disagree. I saw you live the last days of your life with love for your family and mine.
You were my neighbor, my father in law but mostly my friend.
Go on to your newest adventure. I will think kindly of you often.
we met Clarence about 15 years ago when we purchased the house across the street from him. We soon became friends with Diana his wife and Elizabeth his step daughter. Our daughter’s were Elizabeth’s age and they hung out together. A couple of years later Brooke (Clarence’s other step daughter) bought the house next door to us. We all became very good friends. I remember times when our daughter Crystal would come home at night from a horse drill practice and would have to back her horse trailer into our side yard. Many a times Clarence would just watch and smile. Then there were the times our other daughter Alisha would be over visiting with Elizabeth and he would tease her. Many of our “life events” Clarence attended … from weddings, to bbq’s to our “August Party”. Clarence you will be missed. Say hi to my mom and dad for me!
Your going to be missed very much uncle clarence, by brothers & sisters, sons & daughters, neices & nephews, grand children and by all them that new you. You were a great uncle & person to me,and i’ll always love you and i know i’ll be missing you. Love stevers
I will always love you and miss you, my favorite father-in-law. I have lots of memories of camping and fishing trips with you and Charlotte, and the family. Dinners and holidays at your house, and at your folks’ place. I always appreciated how good you always were to avid and Ryan, and all the other kids. They all love you and will miss you, too.
I used to like it when you and Charlotte went to church with us so I could hear you sing. I know that we’ll all be with you again one day.
Love,
your only daughter-in-law, Cheryl Vanatta
Clarence, we knew you through Diana, Brooke, Bob, Elizabeth, Megan, and Josh. Fred and I fondly remember the long conversations out on Brooke and Bob’s deck at various gatherings. It was always good to see you. Know that you passed your love of dance and music on to Brooke and Elizabeth. You are in heaven now where you can sing and dance pain free.
Sending our condolences to your entire family.
Dear Cousin, You will be missed. Loved hearing you sing and the sound of your laughter. You were very light on your feet. You could tell such a good story. Remembering family picnics from the past where good food and visiting made for good memories. And some pretty intense pinochle games. May you rest in peace. Love, Judy and Marion
Dear family of my cousin Clarence,
So sorry to hear of Clarence’s death. Enjoyed seeing him when last in Washington. May the promise of the risen Lord comfort you at this time. God’s blessings and prayers and thoughts coming your way.
Cousins we were, but scarcely known. We feel cheated that distance and time have robbed us of knowing such a vibrant man. May God comfort the family as you mourn Clarence’s passing. Del and Marvel (Huwe) Ring
Clarence,
Thank you for being such a wonderful UNCLE. Thank you for all the mechanical advice when I was lost. Thank you for being you! You brought a smile in every room you entered. I hope you and auntie Charlotte are dancing to your favorites songs right now. Smiles,
John and Family.
I got to know Clarence when he married my friend Diana Vanatta many years ago, and I was happy to attend their recent remarriage ceremony. Clarence promised me a “dance” at the casino to celebrate, as soon as he could get out of that bed. I am so sorry we didn’t that chance. I remember the day in adoption court, when C, Di and Joshua became a family. We all laughed together when Josh asked the bald judge, “Hey, what happened to your hair?”. I was honored when they asked me to be one of Josh’s godmother’s, and join them at the Zion Lutheran church. He was a good husband to Di, loving dad to Lil’ E, sweet and loving Grandpa to Megan, and his “double love” for Josh as Dad and Grandpa. You will be greatly missed by your “circle of people who love you”. Safe journey, I will miss your BIG HUGS. If you see my Mom, ask her to dance. hugs
Having an Uncle like Clarence was such a wonderful gift. He was so funny,strong and the epitome of cool. Remember him talking about scats in jazz singing,and then he would give me an example with that unforgettable voice. He loved singing.There are so many good memories One of the earliest was of Camano Island. The whole clan had so much fun and laughs.I accidentally walked into the bathroom tent on him and I wasso mortified,and well that to me was a funny memory. Remember he and Aunt Charlotte sitting talking with grandparents. Loved listening to them talk. So funny, and his children have that awesome sense of humor too.Thanksgiving and family picnics. He was a beautiful Uncle and so many sweet recollections that he gave us. Can’t forget Big Daddy, and the fishing trip,catching a shark. Grandma having so much fun fishing for salmon. Rest in peace Uncle. You are so loved and missed.
Carence You brought your Mother,out to our home when we lived on Lake Enemy Swim and had breakfast with us. Otherwise my memories of you were when we were kids before you moved to Washington. But it sounds like you were a very joyful man. Our sympathies to your family. Cousins Nadine & Vern Sauer
I love you and miss you… thank you for our 17 years that were wonderful, exasperating, fullfilling, funny and loving…. thank you for being the best dance partner I ever had and for all the joyful times we had together sharing our love of dance and each other..
I share you now with Charlotte again to dance and share memories… and look forward to when we meet again on the other side..
till then I will keep your words in my heart and repeat them back to you.. I love you so so so so much too.
Daddy,
Thank you for a wonderful life full of memories, laughter, song and dance. I will always remember our times fishing and camping together. Calling out here fishies, fishes, fishes, sometimes to catch many and sometime just to spend time alone with each other. I loved the way you taught us to love and forgive. I hope you are reunited with mom and dancing the jigger bug again. You are my hero, you will forever be in my heart
Hey DaddyO, not so sure I can write this. Seems so very strange without you here holding our hands. Brianna misses you so very much and is so hopeful to see you. she was so very proud to share her treats with you. Janessa being so super smart is sure you are happy and dancing in heaven. They loved Grandpa very much. Thank you for being everything I could have ever dreamed of in a father and loving so unconditional. I will miss scratching your back, hearing you sing and learning all the random nick names you would give every child that came in the door. I will miss the random songs you would make up and will always remember that every toy I had as a child could sing when you played with them. I want to thank you for trusting me. You trusted me to help care for your father and then yourself. I guess you knew more about me than I did. I would have tried to give you the moon if you said you wanted it. I will always hold my promise to you and look out for our family. Please tell Mom we love her and we will see you both again someday. I love ya DaddyO. your memories I will cherish forever.