CHESTER "CHET" CHARLES SCHEY March 5, 1921 ~ October 2, 2015 Chet Schey was called home to Heaven on Oct. 2, 2015 at the age of 94 in Vancouver, WA after battling a reoccurrence of cancer and heart issues. He was the oldest of five children born to Charles and Lydia (Schmitt) Schey in Cucamonga, CA on March 5, 1921. Chet was always a very hard worker and creative problem solver, and worked from a very young age wherever the family lived. After graduating high school, he went to work at Bremerton Navy Yard. He enlisted in the Coast Guard, and was immediately sent to the Coast Guard Base in Ketchikan, AK for his entire tour of duty. It was a wonderful experience for him. It was where he learned his machinist trade skills, as well as learning to fly and getting his pilot's license. For his outdoorsman's heart, it was a land of wonders and adventure. He traveled up and down the Alaskan coast for the Coast Guard during his tour. After his discharge from the service, he went to visit his previous Alaska supervisor in CA at the Coast Guard Base on Terminal Island. He was offered a job and they wanted him to start the next day. After asking for a delay, he went home to WA to see his parents and siblings, and returned to spend 30 years at the Base. He started out as a civil service entry level employee. When he retired, he was the General Foreman of the entire Base. It was 30 years of problem-solving and possibility-thinking joy for him. Chet had developed an interest in mineralogy. He would explore gold mining areas and creeks in the Angeles National Forest (in CA). Chet became partners in a gold mining claim. As it so happened, his future wife Shirley (Snell) would be in the area helping her brother who had a resort. Chet would stop to get ice at the resort on his way to the mining claim, and needless to say, things warmed up between him and Shirley. They were married on Aug. 13, 1952 and celebrated 63 years of marriage and love just prior to his death. Chet and Shirley have three children: Cheryl (1954), Melody (1958), and Duane (1961). After retirement, the family moved to Vancouver, WA in 1980. Chet always said it was "God's Country". He had two VERY large gardens that produced enough to feed many families and the produce was freely shared. Shirley enjoyed working with the flowers, and they often worked side by side. His orchard was enjoyed by both humans and the local deer population. He kept most of their 8.5 acres mowed, and you could often look out the window and see him snoozing sitting on his mower. Chet is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Cheryl and Melody (Bill); son, Duane (Susan); granddaughters, Danielle and Elise; sisters, Blanche and Bernice; nieces, Lynn and Debbie; and son of the heart, Danny (Michelle); His son-in-law, Keith and two brothers, Albert and Phillip, preceded him in death. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins. His legacy of love lives on in many friends and family. There will be a celebration of his life held at Vancouver First Church of God, 3300 NE 78th St., Vancouver, WA on Sun., Oct. 18 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. A donation in his memory may be made to King's Way School (same address) or Vancouver First Church of God in lieu of flowers. Please sign Chet's Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.
Published in The Columbian on Oct. 13, 2015.