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Obituaries
1/29/2014 11:47:42 AM

Eldon Jay Barr
Eldon Jay Barr passed away at 8:15 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2013. He was born Feb. 7, 1967, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane to Charles and Nancy Barr. He lived in the Spokane area for his entire life. Eldon graduated as the valedictorian of East Valley High School in 1985. Following high school, he attended Eastern Washington University and graduated summa cum laude, earning his mechanical engineering degree.

Eldon began his engineering career at the Boeing plant in Spokane after college. He left Boeing before it became Triumph and began working at Spraycool, a tech startup focused on isothermal systems research that was later purchased by Parker Aerospace.

Eldon was an avid basketball player and fan. His favorite team was the Seattle Supersonics. He did not like Starbucks coffee. His engineering career led to a love for all things automobile. He taught himself to play the drums at a young age. Eldon was also a devout and loving Christian.

Eldon's penchant for fixing literally anything and everything that was broken made him a great husband and amazing father. He loved and supported his wife and children, even while fighting the malignant anaplastic astrocytoma that finally took him.

Eldon is survived by his wife of 19 years, Molley Thomas Barr; stepson, Patrick; son, Elliot; son, Ethan; daughter, Phoebe; mother, Nancy; brother, Curtis; sister, Karen; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Services were held at the end of December with arrangements by Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services of Spokane. 

Elizabeth "Betty" Cavanagh
Mom entered into heaven on Dec. 21, 2013, and now joins her beloved husband, Charlie, and daughter, Colleen. 

Betty was born in Randolph, Mass., on July 26, 1926, to Carroll and Alice Bump. She met and married Charlie at the age of 16. They raised their son, Charles Russell Cavanagh IV, and lived on the east coast for 13 years before moving to Spokane in 1951, where Dad served as chief of surgery at Fairchild Air Force Base during the Korean War and met Dr. Ed Schnug. After a brief period of time back east after his service, Dad and Mom moved back to Spokane in 1956, where Dad joined Ed to form a medical practice that still exists today. 

Mom was a volunteer with the St. Ann's Children Society, but her greatest joy was the raising of seven children: Charles Russell Cavanagh IV (Karen McDermott), Elizabeth Pellanda (Manning), Kathleen Cavanagh (Van Schilling), Robert Cavanagh (Sharon), Joseph Cavanagh (Gloria), Colleen Cavanagh (d) and Susan Mattox (Rob). She also enjoyed eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

Mom loved her weekly hair appointments and Saturday night dancing with close friends John and Arlene Hale. Mom was also an avid shopper. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 30 with arrangements by Hennessey Funeral Homes. 

Wayne Kamps
Wayne Kamps was born Sept. 3, 1941, in Spokane and passed at Hospice House on Jan. 10, 2014. He was raised in Post Falls, Idaho and graduated from Post Falls High School in 1959. 

He took his gift of gab and his love of people to his first job in grocery retailing at Farvers Market at the age of 14. He courted and married Myrna L. Soles of Spokane in 1961, and they were blessed with a daughter, Nona Rae. The young family moved to Spokane, where Wayne went to work for Albertsons and later with the Round Up company in the Spokane Valley.  

In 1990, he met and later married Wanda, the current love of his life. In 1992, heart disease changed Wayne's direction and energies to retirement and hobbies - for about three weeks! 

Wayne then turned to his love of organizing, using his family as his "testing ground." However, his family failed to cooperate and outside interests were actively pursued.  Finally in 2006 he found his "playground" in retirement, becoming the "captain" of Country Vista Carwash in Liberty Lake. The owner, Roger Dreckman, was allowed to be his "lieutenant." This became an amazing opportunity for Wayne to meet the rest of Eastern Washington whom had not yet crossed his path!

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Kamps and Martha Laakonen-Kamps; his sister, Judy; wife, Myrna Soles-Kamps; his second wife, Carolyn Bennett-Kamps; and his four-legged companions, Odie-Joe and Tootsie-Lou.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 23 years, Wanda Koch-Kamps; daughter, Nona and husband Terry Eirls; brother, Lonnie and sister-in-law Myra Kamps; sister, Kathy Kamps and partner Albert Suttman; step-daughter, Kellie Anderson and partner Jim Curry; step-son, Jason Rine and partner Niccole Bove; as well as numerous grandchildren,  great-grandchildren,  nieces and nephews.  

A service was held in mid-January with arrangements by English Funeral Chapel of Post Falls.

Dennis K. Waltermire
Dennis K. Waltermire, 70, longtime Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake resident, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 25, 2013. Denny was born Aug. 9, 1943, to Winston and Lorraine (Daily) Waltermire of Terre Haute, Ind., the second of six children. 

Denny enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. He was later stationed in Japan while serving in the Vietnam War. Denny received his associate's degree from Northwood University in West Baden, Ind. He began his career in the auto industry at Dishman Dodge, where he spent 30 years rising to the position of dealer principal. 

He has four adult children, Dee Dee, Mark, Matt and Denielle, with his first wife, Marlene Hollenback. Later, Denny started Hallmark Hyundai, which he operated successfully for 15 years. Most recently, he owned Hallmark Suzuki and 509cars.com. 

On Sept. 25, 1999, Denny married Sally Rasmusson, and they have one daughter, Taylor. He was an amazing father to his five children. He loved being a grandfather and spending time with his six grandchildren. He was very proud of each of them. 

Denny was a successful businessman and was a member of the Spokane New Car Dealers Association and served as president for many years. He also served many years as president for the Western Region Dodge Advertising board. He was a member of the Western Region Dealer Council for Dodge, Western Region Dealer Council for Hyundai, National Dealer Council for Hyundai, Western Region Hyundai Advertising Association, and participated in numerous "20 Group" organizations. Denny contributed to the community through his involvement as president of Spokane Valley Sunrise Rotary, as a member of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, and Valley Hospital Foundation board. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and was a Mason.

Denny was a sports enthusiast both as a participant and a spectator. He loved to play softball and was proud to be one of the first inductees into the Spokane Metro Softball Hall of Fame. Denny was an avid golfer and played on many courses, with Hawaii being some of his favorites during the winter months. Denny was a member of the Meadowwood Men's Club, Manito Country Club and Big Island Country Club. Denny spent many years bowling in the men's league at Players and Spectators. He loved to play cards both locally and in Las Vegas and Reno. He recently joined a horseshoe league and his team won the annual River Fall Classic.

Denny lived his life to the fullest. He easily connected with people and was everyone's friend. He always loved a good joke. He was kind and generous and never let anyone else pay the dinner bill. He was a good listener and knew when to give sage advice. Denny attended Calvary Chapel Spokane Valley and we take comfort he is with his Lord.

Denny is survived by his wife, Sally Waltermire and their daughter Taylor of Liberty Lake; his four adult children, Dee Dee (and Carl) Christian, Mark Waltermire, Matt (and Robyn) Waltermire, and Denielle (and Shane) Stuhlmiller, and their mother Marlene Hollenback, all of Spokane. Denny has six grandchildren, Kent, Cadee and Becca Christian; Sami Waltermire; Grayson Waltermire; and Dane Stuhlmiller. 

Denny is survived by his brothers, Rick Waltermire of St. Louis, Mo., and Gary and Gordy Waltermire of Terre Haute. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Kay Waltermire, and his brother, Ron Waltermire.

Services were held Jan. 2 with arrangements by Hennessey Smith Funeral Home. 

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