Delano (Del) Dale Coy went to meet his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 21, 2017. He was 78. Del was born September 29, 1939, in Spokane, Washington, to Charles and Margaret Vanhale Coy. Del grew up in the home where he was born in Spokane, Wash. He attended school in Spokane. Del was his momma's "Baby Boy". As the youngest of the family of boys, he was the family prankster and often included his nearest brother, Larry, in his schemes. He often had to choose his own switch when Mom had had enough. When his father was ill and could no longer work, Del left high school to work at the local bakery, to help support the family. He was dedicated to his parents and helped support them until their deaths. A little wild and reckless, Del was the youngest of his brothers to get married. He married Donna Higgins in 1958, but later divorced. He quickly started his family and wanted to be the first brother with a male firstborn. Alas, like each of his brothers, his firstborn was a girl and he had to wait for his third child to have a son. Del's family continued to grow and he tried to make a better life for his family. He returned to school, receiving a GED and then went on to Kinman Business School for three years and worked briefly for Physician's Surgical Supply. Like all parents, he struggled to balance work and family. Del was an active Dad. He played ball in the streets with the entire neighborhood, played in piles of leaves, built snow castles and of course, went for long walks with his kids. He held various jobs before returning to baking. He found a job in the area loading and un-loading trucks for a large commercial bakery and eventually worked his way into the wrapping room where he became a foreman for several years. He also worked as a baker for Snyder's Bread for many years. Del married Charlene Giffing in 1977. Much of Del's world changed when at the age of 40 he suffered an aneurism and subsequent stroke, in 1981. He was in a coma for many months and had many years of recovery. He had to relearn to speak, walk and to rebuild memories. He was forced to retire from the bakery. As part of his rehabilitation, Del moved to his second home, Colfax. Del and Charlene divorced and he moved to Colfax in 1983. Del saw everyone as a friend, though some he had not yet met. He was always ready with a joke (though sometimes risqué) and a very welcome baritone laugh. He was a well-known "fixture" in Colfax, where he was often seen walking swiftly from one end of Main Street to the other. Always easy going, a friendly smile and a quick "Hi". He liked to visit with folks he'd meet along the way and always enjoyed stopping in the Top Notch Café for his coffee. Del was a member of St. Patrick's
Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and he liked to watch TV. Throughout his life, Del held a strong faith in our Lord and was a devout Catholic. He always participated in the mass from altar boy to usher to reader. We know he has joined his family in heaven and is making ready for each of us. When we see him again he will have a smile on his face, a joke on his lips and a laugh from his soul. See you soon, Love you and Miss you. Del was preceded in death by his parents; and by seven brothers, all from Spokane, Charles V. Coy, William H. Coy, Richard Coy, Francis Robert Coy, Robert Francis Coy, Norman H. Coy, and Larry T. Coy. He is survived by his former wife, Donna Higgins Latremouille of Everett, Wash.; and their children, Therese Litton (Jeffrey) of Wenatchee, Wash., Kathleen Christian of Mount Vernon, Wash.; and her daughters, Samantha Carlson and Tabitha Christian; and six great-grandchildren, Gregory Coy (Connie) of Guyton, Ga.; daughter, Kimberly Garringer and son, Keith Coy; and one great-grandson, (Delano) Paul Coy (Donna) of Granite Falls, Wash.; and daughters, Jennifer Moon, Nicole McMullin and son, Anthony Ventimiglia; and five great-grandchildren, and Georgia Coy of Mount Vernon, Wash. He is also survived by his former wife, Charlene Giffing Coy of Spokane; and their daughter, Cassandra Davey (Michael), Spokane Valley, and son, Austin Davey. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Colfax, with Father Al Grasher officiating. At 12:00 noon we will celebrate Del's life with memories and refreshments at the St. Patrick Parish Hall. Please join us for one or both of these events. If you are unable to attend, the family would still love to hear from you. Please contact Georgia Coy at (360) 333-1900 or at CoyGeorgia@gmail.com