William Gregory (Chip) DeHon

(1960 - 2024)

Chip DeHon, age 64 of Mount Vernon Washington, died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest in his home on December 10, 2024.  The long- time resident of Mount Vernon enjoyed firefighting, auto racing, and spending time with his grandkids.

He was born in Wenatchee Washington to William L and Janet DeHon on November 29, 1960.  A year later, the family moved to Mount Vernon where they have remained.  As a child he enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, football, and camping. He actively participated in the Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout. Chip graduated from Mount Vernon High School before earning a degree in diesel mechanics from Skagit Valley Community College.

Chip started his working life as a pea viner driver for Twin City Foods.  He worked for the company for a number of years in a variety of capacities before taking a job with Skagit Valley Trucking as a truck driver.  After his sons were born, he wanted to spend more time at home so he left truck driving and became a school bus driver, at first with Stanwood School District and later with Mount Vernon School District.  Because Chip liked to stay busy, he found a little side hustle at The Grocery Outlet in Stanwood.  Between his bus routes, he could be found in the isles stocking merchandise and helping shoppers find items.

For 42 years Chip served his community as a volunteer fire fighter and trained a number of others on how to drive a fire truck.  He was also a fan of auto racing and could be found most Friday and Saturday nights during the summer at the Deming and Skagit Speedway tracks.  At the tracks, he worked the colored flags in the corners as well as line-up positioning with the drivers.  He was especially passionate about teaching kids just starting out in racing about track safety and what the flag coloring meant.  In more recent years Chip could also be found at local sporting venues cheering on his grandsons.

Chip is survived by his long-time partner Audrey Walters, his parents William L and Janet DeHon, his sister Karen (Brian) Crow, his son Nate (Felicia) DeHon, his son Andy (Rebecca) DeHon, and five grandsons, as well as Audrey's three kids (Sam, Auzzie, and Shilo) and three grandkids.

A celebration of life is being planned for Saturday January 4th, 2025 at Cedardale Fire Station: 19746 E Hickox Rd, Mount Vernon.  Visitors are welcome between 10 am and 2 pm.  Please stop by to share your stories about Chip.