Gary Wayne Lykins

Gary Wayne Lykins, age 79, died at Tacoma General MultiCare Hospital, Tacoma, Washington on July 6, 2022.  

Gary was born June of 1943 to Monta Ray Lykins and Luella Frances (Mason) in Blythe, California.  He joined older brother Bill and was soon followed by younger brother David.  Soon after the family relocated from the very warm Blythe, California to the very cold Climax, Colorado.  

The three brothers spent their summers at their grandparents’ farm in Weldona, Colorado.  They would fish the South Platte river, help gather eggs, feed chickens, and generally run wild.  It was an amazing time.  

At the age of 17 Gary enlisted in the Navy.  He saw the world over the next few years with the Navy traveling to Japan, Australia, Peru, Thailand, Mexico, and many other ports.  After he finished his time in the Navy he returned to Climax, working as a miner off and on until he met his future wife, Joan Frances Johnson.  

In 1967 Gary and Joan pointed their very old 1958 Pontiac towards Seattle and the promised land of Boeing.  They set up house with their last $80 at 4th and Cedar in downtown Seattle.  Over the next 10 years Gary worked for the Seattle Water Department, soon becoming the youngest supervisor the department ever had.  The couple welcomed their first two children while in Seattle.

In 1978 the family relocated to Selah, Washington and their third child arrived shortly after.  Gary went to work at Hanford, where he would eventually retire (it took a couple times to stick) in 2003.  

Never one to sit idle, Gary kept busy over the years buying and selling antiques, collectibles, and ‘unique treasures’.  His interest was not so much in profit, but rather a persistent, driving intellect and curiosity about anything and everything.  

Most recently, he could still be found at yard sales but added bird watching and photography to his repertoire.  Certainly the ducks, ducklings and herons will miss his early morning observations, always captured by his trusty Panasonic digital camera.  

Gary is survived by his children Tracy Collins (Nicholas), Tacoma, Washington; M. Wayne Lykins (Danette), Yakima, Washington; Morgan Blackburn, Selah, Washington; brother Bill (Donna) Lykins, Arvada, Colorado, as well as eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.  He was predeceased by his wife, Joan (2016) and his brother, David (2019).  

There will be a small memorial held in September by the family as Gary is returned to his beloved Climax, Colorado.   For details, please reach out to Gary’s brother, Bill or his daughter, Tracy. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary Wayne Lykins, please visit our floral store.