Gale Vernett Grow Obituary (2023)

Gale Vernett Grow was born on December 11, 1942, in Yakima, Washington. He passed away at home surrounded by family on December 6, 2023, five days short of his 81st birthday. He attended schools in Mabton, Prosser, and Yakima Valley Community College. Gale married the love of his life, Carroll O'Neill, on June 11, 1961, and they soon started their family and his lifelong career with the Forest Service, in the Naches Ranger District. He retired in The Tieton Ranger District with over 36 years of service. He was on the fire overhead team for Central Washington for 30 years. He fought wildfires from Alaska to California, as well as Yellowstone. Gale was a Forest Service advisor on a movie filmed in Canada called "The Deadly Hunt." His voice and backside actually made it into the movie. In 1974, they purchased four acres of land to build a home, raise horses, and planted fruit trees, which he would eventually farm. After retirement, not one to be idle, he did dealer trades for the Bob Hall dealership in Yakima, served six years as Naches Fire Commissioner, and two years on The Wapatox Ditch Board. Also farming his fruit orchard, which included peaches, apples, and nectarines. He loved to hunt, fish, and camp with family and friends. Gale was family oriented, and family always came first! He was also a diehard Seahawks and Nascar Fan. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carroll, daughters, Robin (Tim) Smith, Terri Grow, Andrea Jundt, sisters, Norma Telford and Jenece Manees, and sister-in-law, Nancy Yearout, uncle, Cameron Grow and aunts, Barb and Dottie Clark, his grandchildren, Layne, Ryan Tyler J, Allison, and Tyler S, great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Tucker, Carter, Taylyn, and Quinn. He is also survived by his special friends, Earl and Carolyn Brown. Gale is preceded in death by his mother, Beulah Mae, father Norton, stepmother, Mildred, sister, Linda, and brothers, Terry, and Jeff. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023, at 11:00am, at St. John's Catholic Church, in Naches, Washington. A Graveside Service will follow at the Naches Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made payable to the Naches Fire Department and Heartlinks Hospice and sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Mass of Christian Burial St. Johns Catholic Church Friday, December 22, 2023 11:00 AM 206 Moxee Ave Naches, WA 98937 Graveside Service Naches Cemetery Friday, December 22, 2023 12:30 PM Kel Lowry Rd. Naches, WA 98937 Graveside Service following Funeral Service.