Otis Backus Harlan, longtime area resident, passed away quietly at his home in Yakima on August 12, 2017. Otis was born in Seattle, WA, February 25, 1929 to Otis Harlan and Rose Milligan Jaiser Harlan. He attended Lakeside Preparatory School in Seattle and spent his summers growing up with his two brothers Manson and Alan on the shores of Port Madison, Bainbridge Island. He attended University of Washington and graduated from Whitman College. He then moved to Yakima with his young family to work in his father’s business, which he eventually developed into Hi-Country Foods Corporation in Selah, WA. His signature Hi-Country Apple Juice and other products were sold throughout the Western United States. In the 1950’s the family bought some land in Yakima Valley that would later become Otis Vineyards and they planted what are considered the oldest commercial Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Washington State, and the wines from his grapes garnered several prestigious awards.
He was a father who truly loved his children and a man who found his faith later in life and was truly humbled by the love of God. He is survived by his dearest love and fiancée Bobbi Jo Quigley and their rescue dog Jackie, and his children Teresa (Knowle) Hanson, Julie (John Stafford) Harlan, and Austin (Christina) Harlan. His daughter Sarann Graham died in 2005. By an earlier marriage to Harriette Bandy Harlan he is survived by three step children, Diane Cauldwell, Linda Billings and Bill Adkinson. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Oceana, Elizabeth, and Gabrielle, and four great-grandchildren. His niece Laurie Harlan Leak and nephew Bruce (Janet) Harlan also survive him.
Otis enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, and clamming, and throughout the decades he shared his love of the water with his family and friends. He had a passion for sports and in his day enjoyed everything from playing basketball in high school to coaching Pee Wee baseball in Selah, to owning the Yakima Sun Kings for a brief period. And no one enjoyed a good game of golf, tennis, or racquetball more than he did. He was an avid Bridge player and past president of the Yakima Duplicate Bridge Club.
He always took a strong interest in helping and supporting the youth in his community and remained active in the Y.M.C.A. and its youth programs throughout his life. Along the way, he served as past president of the Y’s Board of Directors and as a member of their Board of Trustees. Over the years he also served his community as president of the Board of Directors for the local United Way, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Memorial Hospital Foundation. He was a member for the Advisory Board for Allied Arts of Yakima, and for the Heritage College President’s Council. Otis was also one of the original founders and the Director of the Selah Bank and later served on the Board of Directors of West One Bank. He also supported the Yakima Greenway Foundation and the development of Harlan Landing along the river.
He was a beloved mentor, good friend, and strong leader. He believed that every activity should be done to the very best of one’s ability whether it was mowing the lawn, cleaning the grill or running a company. His sage advice, quick wit, and attention to detail will be long remembered by those close to him.
The family wishes to wholeheartedly thank the staff and caregivers from Total Care of Yakima and the Virginia Mason Memorial Hospice Compass Care team who worked so closely with us.
Viewing will be held 4 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday August 15, 2017 at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors in Yakima. He will be laid to rest privately at the family plot at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Otis’s name to the Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima, WA 98901 or online at yakimaymca.org; or to the Yakima Valley Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 944, Yakima, WA 98907 or online at yypr.org; or to the Breakthrough Church, 1220 Business Pkwy., Union Gap, WA 98903 or online at breakthroughchristian.com. To share memories or condolences with Otis’s family please visit www.shawandsons.com.
He was a father who truly loved his children and a man who found his faith later in life and was truly humbled by the love of God. He is survived by his dearest love and fiancée Bobbi Jo Quigley and their rescue dog Jackie, and his children Teresa (Knowle) Hanson, Julie (John Stafford) Harlan, and Austin (Christina) Harlan. His daughter Sarann Graham died in 2005. By an earlier marriage to Harriette Bandy Harlan he is survived by three step children, Diane Cauldwell, Linda Billings and Bill Adkinson. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Oceana, Elizabeth, and Gabrielle, and four great-grandchildren. His niece Laurie Harlan Leak and nephew Bruce (Janet) Harlan also survive him.
Otis enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, and clamming, and throughout the decades he shared his love of the water with his family and friends. He had a passion for sports and in his day enjoyed everything from playing basketball in high school to coaching Pee Wee baseball in Selah, to owning the Yakima Sun Kings for a brief period. And no one enjoyed a good game of golf, tennis, or racquetball more than he did. He was an avid Bridge player and past president of the Yakima Duplicate Bridge Club.
He always took a strong interest in helping and supporting the youth in his community and remained active in the Y.M.C.A. and its youth programs throughout his life. Along the way, he served as past president of the Y’s Board of Directors and as a member of their Board of Trustees. Over the years he also served his community as president of the Board of Directors for the local United Way, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Memorial Hospital Foundation. He was a member for the Advisory Board for Allied Arts of Yakima, and for the Heritage College President’s Council. Otis was also one of the original founders and the Director of the Selah Bank and later served on the Board of Directors of West One Bank. He also supported the Yakima Greenway Foundation and the development of Harlan Landing along the river.
He was a beloved mentor, good friend, and strong leader. He believed that every activity should be done to the very best of one’s ability whether it was mowing the lawn, cleaning the grill or running a company. His sage advice, quick wit, and attention to detail will be long remembered by those close to him.
The family wishes to wholeheartedly thank the staff and caregivers from Total Care of Yakima and the Virginia Mason Memorial Hospice Compass Care team who worked so closely with us.
Viewing will be held 4 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday August 15, 2017 at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors in Yakima. He will be laid to rest privately at the family plot at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Otis’s name to the Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima, WA 98901 or online at yakimaymca.org; or to the Yakima Valley Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 944, Yakima, WA 98907 or online at yypr.org; or to the Breakthrough Church, 1220 Business Pkwy., Union Gap, WA 98903 or online at breakthroughchristian.com. To share memories or condolences with Otis’s family please visit www.shawandsons.com.
Otis Backus Harlan, longtime area resident, passed away quietly at his home in Yakima on August 12, 2017. Otis was born in Seattle, WA, February 25, 1929 to Otis Harlan and Rose Milligan Jaiser Harlan. He attended Lakeside Preparatory School in Seattle and spent his summers growing up with his two brothers Manson and Alan on the shores of Port Madison, Bainbridge Island. He attended University of Washington and graduated from Whitman College. He then moved to Yakima with his young family to work in his father’s business, which he eventually developed into Hi-Country Foods Corporation in Selah, WA. His signature Hi-Country Apple Juice and other products were sold throughout the Western United States. In the 1950’s the family bought some land in Yakima Valley that would later become Otis Vineyards and they planted what are considered the oldest commercial Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Washington State, and the wines from his grapes garnered several prestigious awards.
He was a father who truly loved his children and a man who found his faith later in life and was truly humbled by the love of God. He is survived by his dearest love and fiancée Bobbi Jo Quigley and their rescue dog Jackie, and his children Teresa (Knowle) Hanson, Julie (John Stafford) Harlan, and Austin (Christina) Harlan. His daughter Sarann Graham died in 2005. By an earlier marriage to Harriette Bandy Harlan he is survived by three step children, Diane Cauldwell, Linda Billings and Bill Adkinson. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Oceana, Elizabeth, and Gabrielle, and four great-grandchildren. His niece Laurie Harlan Leak and nephew Bruce (Janet) Harlan also survive him.
Otis enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, and clamming, and throughout the decades he shared his love of the water with his family and friends. He had a passion for sports and in his day enjoyed everything from playing basketball in high school to coaching Pee Wee baseball in Selah, to owning the Yakima Sun Kings for a brief period. And no one enjoyed a good game of golf, tennis, or racquetball more than he did. He was an avid Bridge player and past president of the Yakima Duplicate Bridge Club.
He always took a strong interest in helping and supporting the youth in his community and remained active in the Y.M.C.A. and its youth programs throughout his life. Along the way, he served as past president of the Y’s Board of Directors and as a member of their Board of Trustees. Over the years he also served his community as president of the Board of Directors for the local United Way, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Memorial Hospital Foundation. He was a member for the Advisory Board for Allied Arts of Yakima, and for the Heritage College President’s Council. Otis was also one of the original founders and the Director of the Selah Bank and later served on the Board of Directors of West One Bank. He also supported the Yakima Greenway Foundation and the development of Harlan Landing along the river.
He was a beloved mentor, good friend, and strong leader. He believed that every activity should be done to the very best of one’s ability whether it was mowing the lawn, cleaning the grill or running a company. His sage advice, quick wit, and attention to detail will be long remembered by those close to him.
The family wishes to wholeheartedly thank the staff and caregivers from Total Care of Yakima and the Virginia Mason Memorial Hospice Compass Care team who worked so closely with us.
Viewing will be held 4 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday August 15, 2017 at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors in Yakima. He will be laid to rest privately at the family plot at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Otis’s name to the Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima, WA 98901 or online at yakimaymca.org; or to the Yakima Valley Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 944, Yakima, WA 98907 or online at yypr.org; or to the Breakthrough Church, 1220 Business Pkwy., Union Gap, WA 98903 or online at breakthroughchristian.com. To share memories or condolences with Otis’s family please visit www.shawandsons.com.
He was a father who truly loved his children and a man who found his faith later in life and was truly humbled by the love of God. He is survived by his dearest love and fiancée Bobbi Jo Quigley and their rescue dog Jackie, and his children Teresa (Knowle) Hanson, Julie (John Stafford) Harlan, and Austin (Christina) Harlan. His daughter Sarann Graham died in 2005. By an earlier marriage to Harriette Bandy Harlan he is survived by three step children, Diane Cauldwell, Linda Billings and Bill Adkinson. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Oceana, Elizabeth, and Gabrielle, and four great-grandchildren. His niece Laurie Harlan Leak and nephew Bruce (Janet) Harlan also survive him.
Otis enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, and clamming, and throughout the decades he shared his love of the water with his family and friends. He had a passion for sports and in his day enjoyed everything from playing basketball in high school to coaching Pee Wee baseball in Selah, to owning the Yakima Sun Kings for a brief period. And no one enjoyed a good game of golf, tennis, or racquetball more than he did. He was an avid Bridge player and past president of the Yakima Duplicate Bridge Club.
He always took a strong interest in helping and supporting the youth in his community and remained active in the Y.M.C.A. and its youth programs throughout his life. Along the way, he served as past president of the Y’s Board of Directors and as a member of their Board of Trustees. Over the years he also served his community as president of the Board of Directors for the local United Way, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Memorial Hospital Foundation. He was a member for the Advisory Board for Allied Arts of Yakima, and for the Heritage College President’s Council. Otis was also one of the original founders and the Director of the Selah Bank and later served on the Board of Directors of West One Bank. He also supported the Yakima Greenway Foundation and the development of Harlan Landing along the river.
He was a beloved mentor, good friend, and strong leader. He believed that every activity should be done to the very best of one’s ability whether it was mowing the lawn, cleaning the grill or running a company. His sage advice, quick wit, and attention to detail will be long remembered by those close to him.
The family wishes to wholeheartedly thank the staff and caregivers from Total Care of Yakima and the Virginia Mason Memorial Hospice Compass Care team who worked so closely with us.
Viewing will be held 4 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday August 15, 2017 at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors in Yakima. He will be laid to rest privately at the family plot at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Otis’s name to the Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima, WA 98901 or online at yakimaymca.org; or to the Yakima Valley Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 944, Yakima, WA 98907 or online at yypr.org; or to the Breakthrough Church, 1220 Business Pkwy., Union Gap, WA 98903 or online at breakthroughchristian.com. To share memories or condolences with Otis’s family please visit www.shawandsons.com.
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