William A. “Jake” Maberry was born in Van Buren, Missouri, on May 12, 1930 to Leonard and Blanche (Galbraith) Maberry. He moved with his family to Lynden when he was 13. He was not a happy camper because he had to leave his beloved Current River. However, he soon found other rivers to fish in Washington and Vancouver Island. He graduated from Lynden High School in 1948 with a sports career in basketball and baseball. He spent one year at the University of Washington, two years at Skagit Junior College and two years at the College (now University) of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He excelled in basketball wherever he went. He met a Tacoma girl at C.P.S. (the athlete/cheerleader syndrome). He married Money (aka Maureen) Dessen on Aug. 30, 1952 and they raised four sons, Mike (Rose), Marty (Debbie), Monte, Mark (Christin), and one daughter, Molly (Allen Brown). Jake coached at Central Kitsap for two years (1953-1955), then moved home to Lynden to farm with his dad and brother. A Nov. 11, 1955 Northeaster, which destroyed all the berries, caused a change of plans. When the LHS basketball job opened in the spring of 1956, he was hired and, as they say, “the rest is history.” Twenty-seven years later with four state championships and other district and league championships, he retired in 1983. Farming took over with his sons, wife and son-in-law. After retiring, he said, “I’m going to hunt and fish the rest of my life” — and he DID!
Jake was preceded in death by his parents, brother Winfred and his wife Kathleen Maberry, nephew Curt Maberry, and daughter-in-law Connie Maberry.
Jake is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Money; daughter Molly (Allen Brown); sons Mike (Rose), Marty (Debbie) and Monte, all of Lynden, and Mark (Christin) of Silverdale; grandchildren Jenny (Tom) Weeks with Tanner and Alice, Melissa (Matt) Langstraat with Darby, Dorie, Daphne and little Jake, Mike (Amber) Brown with Corbin and Kasen, Jon (Bree) Maberry with Haedyn, Riley and Little Marty, Jamie (Kyle) Gunst with baby Cora, Megan (McLeod) with Jaeger – all from Lynden, Annie (Brooks) Carroll with baby Kanyon of Oklahoma, Lisa Maberry with Kai of Seattle, David Maberry of Alaska, Adam Maberry and Caroline Maberry of Silverdale, Tiffany (Wayne) Nash with Keller, Kensie and Kendall of Everett, Kristi (Arlen) Johnston with Theya, Gannon, Kalen, Declan and Malise of Alberta, Canada, Jamie (John) Gent with John, Victoria, Kacey and Caitlin of Ontario, Canada, Holly (Brandon) Vavra with Zachary, Devon and Andrea of Lynden, and Lauri of Auburn and Melissa Fry with Griffin of Bellingham; sister Jan (Fran) Likkel of Bothell; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in the Jake Maberry Gymnasium.
Memorials may be made to the Jake Maberry Scholarship Fund, c/o Lynden High School, 1201 Bradley Rd., Lynden, WA 98264.
Many thanks and hugs to caregivers at Lynden Manor and the Christian Health Care Center.
Buzzer sounds – Zeros on the clock – Game over…Maberry Wins!
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
