March 2009

This In Memoriam section contains brief obituaries of WSBA members. The list is not complete and contains only those notices that the WSBA has learned of through newspapers, magazine articles, trade publications, and correspondence. Additional notices will appear in subsequent issues of Bar News. Please e-mail notices or personal remembrances to inmemoriam@wsba.org.

Cleland, James M. Jr.

James Cleland Jr. graduated from La Verne College in California and earned his law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law. He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and assigned to the Judge Advocate General’s office and served for 12 years. He was known for his quick wit, insatiable curiosity, and generosity, opening his home to many a person or cat in need.

James Cleland Jr. died December 26, 2008, aged 60.

Donovan, Stephen D.

Stephen Donovan was raised in Bellevue, graduated from the University of Washington, and earned his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law. He worked as an attorney for Boeing, focusing on international sales. He retired to Thailand in 1998. Donovan was known for his sense of humor and keen intellect.

Stephen Donovan died November 20, 2008, aged 58.

Ebalo, Ulysses Jay

From his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses Ebalo

Jay was so excited to join your association and was looking forward to practicing law in your state after serving his country with the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, this monster disease, cancer, took that opportunity from him. He was such an outstanding gentleman with so much to offer and a fine young officer with the U.S. Army JAG Corps.

Jay Ebalo died October 8, 2008, aged 32.

Johnson, Grant M.

Grant Johnson grew up in Everett and graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in accounting and English. He received his J.D. from the University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1982. In 1981, he met the love of his life, Maureen Sweeney, in a university library. They married and moved to Wenatchee in 1984. Johnson held numerous leadership roles, including positions in the Chelan-Douglas County Bar Association, the WSBA Young Lawyers Division, Exchange Club, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, St. Joseph Elementary School Board, Wenatchee High School Booster Club, and many coaching positions for his kids’ soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball teams. Johnson was a partner in the firm of Johnson, Gaukroger, Drewelow and Woolett. Johnson enjoyed hiking, water and snow skiing, soccer, basketball, and other sports, but, above all, activities with his family. He was an accomplished fiction writer.

Grant Johnson died in an auto accident January 7, 2009, aged 51.

King, Jerry F.

Jerry King attended the University of Washington, earned his law degree from the UW School of Law, and served in the U.S. Army during the 1950s. He spent nearly three decades as the City of Vancouver’s attorney. Brian Willoughby, president of King’s church, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, said of King: “He was kind, good-hearted, and an ardent supporter of civil rights and civil liberties.” King drafted a diversity policy for Vancouver to protect minority employees. He was one of the founders of the Southwest Washington chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Books and libraries were also a priority for King, and he served on the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District’s Board of Directors. His collection of Walt Whitman books was donated to the University of Iowa.

Jerry King died November 26, 2008, aged 76.

Klein, Jerald A.

Jerry Klein graduated from the University of Washington in 1975 and earned his J.D. from the University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1978. He practiced law in Seattle for more than 30 years and had a long-time client relationship with Washington Cedar. Klein fought a two-year battle with a brain tumor. He was especially proud of his daughter and was pleased that he could attend her graduation from Western Washington University.

Jerry Klein died November 18, 2008, aged 55.

Mason, David P.

A remembrance by John Fox

Those who knew David will remember him as literate, humorous, honest, competent, and unfailingly cheerful. David remained cheerful until the end. I shared office space with David for over 20 years, and I do not recall a single day when it was not fun to be with him. David was a good friend and he will be missed by all of us. David loved the New York Times, especially the Tuesday “Science Times,” which we saved for him when he was out of town. David enjoyed gardening and doing landscaping projects at home. Above all, David loved being with his family. David was a native of Seattle and attended law school at the University of Washington.

David Mason died December 27, 2008, aged 67.

Matthews, John D.

John Matthews grew up in the St. Louis, Missouri, area, attended the University of Washington, and received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1972. Matthews came to Seattle after graduating law school and started his career as an attorney for the Washington State Legislature. He most recently was senior counsel with the firm of Jackson & Wallace LLP. He was an avid tennis player and a member of the Central Park Tennis Club.

John Matthews died November 27, 2008, aged 61.

Nelson, Craig A.

Craig Nelson received his J.D. from Stanford University Law School and worked in private practice in Wenatchee until 1991. He then became city attorney for Centralia and later the city manager. He worked for the Department of Licensing Hearings and Interviews Unit as a hearing officer and administrator. He worked to increase tourism in Centralia and personally accepted a grant from President Clinton to beautify the train station there. He served on the Board of Trustees of Wenatchee Valley College and Community College District 15 and as a member of the Okanogan Conservation District. He loved listening to ABBA and Celtic Women, and studying military history and genealogy.

Craig Nelson died November 26, 2008, aged 54.

Oaxaca, Vidal A.

Vidal Oaxaca practiced with Peacock Myers, P.C. He was experienced in both litigation and transactional work. He was a member of the New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Washington state bars. Oaxaca was admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1999. Clients enjoyed working with him because of his analytical mind. He received a B.S. degree in microbiology and a M.S. degree in biological sciences from the University of Texas at El Paso. As a graduate student, he focused his studies on microbial physiology and genetics, and he conducted research in microbial fermentations. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Washington. Oaxaca worked as a litigation associate attorney for the former Seattle firm of Bogle & Gates and for the Santa Fe office of Sutin Thayer & Browne. He more recently worked as an appellate and trial attorney for the El Paso Public Defender’s Office and as a senior attorney with the General Counsel Unit of the El Paso County Attorney’s Office, where his work concentrated on transactions.

Vidal Oaxaca died November 13, 2008, aged 47.

Painter, Jerry L.

Jerry Painter was born in Great Falls, Montana, and received his law degree from the University of Montana School of Law. He worked as a labor law and education attorney and then joined the Washington Education Association as a staff attorney and general counsel. He was an advocate, organizer, friend, and teacher to hundreds of public school employees across the nation. Painter founded the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS) and advocated for increased funding for public schools. He had many interests, including healthy gourmet cooking and reading, and was a devoted Mariners and Seahawks fan.

Jerry Painter died November 4, 2008, aged 59.

Bar News has also learned of the deaths of Michael B. Ash on January 9, 2008, Gary B. Boe on December 24, 2008, Keith D. Grinstein on September 27, 2008, and Stephen F. Schneider on December 5, 2008.