Harry and Lucy Ota, both 90, of Mount Vernon, WA, passed away on April 19th of aspiration pneumonia and April 13th of a stroke, respectively.

Harry was born on February 1st, 1934 to Shiro Ota and Tatsuko Nakayama in El Centro, California. After Harry graduated from Venice High School in 1952, he went on to study Horticulture at UCLA.

After graduating and completing the ROTC program there, he was commissioned as a 2LT in the U.S. Army.  He served tours in Vietnam, Korea, got his MBA from USC, attended the NATO Defense College, SHAPE, and multiple assignments at the Pentagon. After 30 years, he retired as a decorated Colonel which included the Legion of Merit with 2 OLC (Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 OLC, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Parachute Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

Lucy was born on June 16th, 1933 to Takeo Sakuma and Nobu Yoshimine in Winslow, Washington. After Lucy graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1951, she went on to study Elementary Education at Northwestern University and Seattle Pacific University.

After graduating and completing her teaching degree, she taught elementary school in the U.S. and abroad for 10 years before meeting Harry.

In 1963, Harry met Lucy on a blind date in Tokyo, Japan. They went on to have two children, Caroline and Greg.

In 1988, Harry retired and he and Lucy returned to Burlington, Washington. In his retirement, he started General Business Services, became a Windermere Commercial Real Estate Agent, was a staunch Kiwanis member and past President, worked his way up to Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Commander and oldest waverunner patrol, was an avid fisherman and beloved Seahawks fan.

Harry and Lucy are survived by their children, Caroline and Greg; granddaughters, Alyssa, Jessica, and Julia; and great-grandchildren, Glory and Moses.

Their Celebration of Life Memorial Service is at Bethany Covenant Church on June 5th at noon with a light lunch reception following and is open to family, friends, colleagues and those their lives touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to OCF [Officer's Christian Fellowship], an organization Harry and Lucy were a part of since the 1960's that is special to the family for so much support and many lasting friendships that began during Harry's military career and has spanned the years through today.