Memorial for Charlie Kilbury

CHARLES DEBRIEL KILBURY
	The city of Pasco lost one of its biggest and most enduring champions when Charles Debriel Kilbury, 85, died on January 17, 2005. Charlie, as he was known to his friends, passed away at the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy's Hospice House in the loving care of his family and hospice staff. A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Charles also took great pride in his role as a devoted public servant. Throughout his long, productive life, he served others as an insurance agent; state legislator; member of the Pasco City Council, where he served as Mayor from 1996 to 2000; fellow Mason; Shriner; and parishioner. He was born Feb. 2, 1919, in Yakima to George and Rose Kilbury, one of four brothers. After graduating from Yakima High School, Charles attended Yakima Valley College and the University of Washington before joining the Merchant Marines in 1939. He graduated from Merchant Marine Officers Training School in New London, Conn., and went to sea from 1941 to 1646, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. It was during that time that he and other young seamen would venture into New York City for some night life. There, at a dance in 1943, Charles met a young Italian girl, Florence Del Grosso. They married in 1944, and while Charles traveled to ports all over the world, Florence stayed behind in New York City, where all three of their children were born. At the end of the war, Charles became a welder, finding work in and around New York City. While he was on the East Coast, he learned that jobs had become plentiful in the Pacific Northwest. And so, in 1950, Charles moved his young family to Pasco. Although he didn't find a welding job, he became a switchman and later a yard-master for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which is now Burlington Northern. When Charles retired in 1986, he'd spent almost 40 years with the railroad. An honest, hard working man, he held two jobs for most of his life. Besides being a railroader, Charles owned and operated his own. insurance business, Kilbury Insurance Brokers. And even though he shut down his Pasco office in the late 1980s, Charles continued to take care of many clients. Of his many public roles, Charles is probably best known for his leadership in politics and the community. A lifelong Democrat, he was a precinct committeeman, chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Party for nearly a decade, and 4th District Democratic chairman for another six years. In addition, Charles served on the Pasco City Council during the period of 1960 to 1964, taking a break from city politics to serve some of the same constituents as their 16th District Legislative Representative from 1971 to 1979. In his first year, there were 11 new Democratic legislators and by session's end, Charles was selected "Outstanding Freshman Legislator." He used to brag that he was the "fastest man at 100 yards in the Legislature," keeping in shape by ringing thousands of door bells in neighborhoods throughout Franklin and Walla Walla counties. During his tenure in the state Legislature, Charles became chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, a committee assignment that was important to his district. After his service in the state Legislature, Charles continued his involvement in politics and also began a new chapter in his life by becoming a Mason and a Shriner. He was regularly initiated as Entered Apprentice Mason on September 22nd, 1980, passed to degee of Fellowcraft Mason on January 12th, 1981, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Master on April 20th, 1981. He was enrolled in Pasco Lodge, No. 173 on June 8th, 1981, and went on to serve as Master of that Lodge in 1988. He was a member of the York Rite and presided over each of the bodies and in 1998 became the Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in Washington. He was also a member of many other Masonic bodies and the Masada Shrine. Preceding Charles in eternal life were his parents; brothers Thomas and Delbert; half-brother Claude Kilbury; half-sister Ada Prather; and his wife of 52 years, Florence. Several years after Florence's death, Charles was blessed by the companionship and love of another wonderful woman, Mary Williams, whom he married in 1998. Also left to cherish wonderful memories of their Dad and Grandpa are his devoted daughter, Kathleen, of Richland; Sons Dennis, Richiand, and Brian (Debra) Kilbury of Pasco; grandson Ryan (Shannon) Kilbury; great-granddaughter Madison; and a great-grandchild due in March. His brother, George W. (Shirley) Kilbury of Chandler, Ariz., and stepsons Kenn of Alabama and Mark of Arizona also survive him.

CHARLES DEBRIEL KILBURY

The city of Pasco lost one of its biggest and most enduring champions when Charles Debriel Kilbury, 85, died on January 17, 2005. Charlie, as he was known to his friends, passed away at the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy's Hospice House in the loving care of his family and hospice staff. A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Charles also took great pride in his role as a devoted public servant. Throughout his long, productive life, he served others as an insurance agent; state legislator; member of the Pasco City Council, where he served as Mayor from 1996 to 2000; fellow Mason; Shriner; and parishioner.

He was born Feb. 2, 1919, in Yakima to George and Rose Kilbury, one of four brothers. After graduating from Yakima High School, Charles attended Yakima Valley College and the University of Washington before joining the Merchant Marines in 1939.

He graduated from Merchant Marine Officers Training School in New London, Conn., and went to sea from 1941 to 1646, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. It was during that time that he and other young seamen would venture into New York City for some night life. There, at a dance in 1943, Charles met a young Italian girl, Florence Del Grosso. They married in 1944, and while Charles traveled to ports all over the world, Florence stayed behind in New York City, where all three of their children were born.

At the end of the war, Charles became a welder, finding work in and around New York City. While he was on the East Coast, he learned that jobs had become plentiful in the Pacific Northwest. And so, in 1950, Charles moved his young family to Pasco.

Although he didn't find a welding job, he became a switchman and later a yard-master for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which is now Burlington Northern. When Charles retired in 1986, he'd spent almost 40 years with the railroad. An honest, hard working man, he held two jobs for most of his life. Besides being a railroader, Charles owned and operated his own. insurance business, Kilbury Insurance Brokers. And even though he shut down his Pasco office in the late 1980s, Charles continued to take care of many clients.

Of his many public roles, Charles is probably best known for his leadership in politics and the community. A lifelong Democrat, he was a precinct committeeman, chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Party for nearly a decade, and 4th District Democratic chairman for another six years.

In addition, Charles served on the Pasco City Council during the period of 1960 to 1964, taking a break from city politics to serve some of the same constituents as their 16th District Legislative Representative from 1971 to 1979. In his first year, there were 11 new Democratic legislators and by session's end, Charles was selected "Outstanding Freshman Legislator." He used to brag that he was the "fastest man at 100 yards in the Legislature," keeping in shape by ringing thousands of door bells in neighborhoods throughout Franklin and Walla Walla counties. During his tenure in the state Legislature, Charles became chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, a committee assignment that was important to his district.

After his service in the state Legislature, Charles continued his involvement in politics and also began a new chapter in his life by becoming a Mason and a Shriner. He was regularly initiated as Entered Apprentice Mason on September 22nd, 1980, passed to degee of Fellowcraft Mason on January 12th, 1981, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Master on April 20th, 1981. He was enrolled in Pasco Lodge, No. 173 on June 8th, 1981, and went on to serve as Master of that Lodge in 1988. He was a member of the York Rite and presided over each of the bodies and in 1998 became the Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in Washington. He was also a member of many other Masonic bodies and the Masada Shrine.

Preceding Charles in eternal life were his parents; brothers Thomas and Delbert; half-brother Claude Kilbury; half-sister Ada Prather; and his wife of 52 years, Florence. Several years after Florence's death, Charles was blessed by the companionship and love of another wonderful woman, Mary Williams, whom he married in 1998.

Also left to cherish wonderful memories of their Dad and Grandpa are his devoted daughter, Kathleen, of Richland; Sons Dennis, Richiand, and Brian (Debra) Kilbury of Pasco; grandson Ryan (Shannon) Kilbury; great-granddaughter Madison; and a great-grandchild due in March. His brother, George W. (Shirley) Kilbury of Chandler, Ariz., and stepsons Kenn of Alabama and Mark of Arizona also survive him.