Philipp George Fries, age 66, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2018 at Virginia Mason Hospital surrounded by family and friends after a short but courageous fight with pancreatitis. He was born in Seattle, WA on May 29,1952 to George P. and Frances M. Fries of Bothell.
After living in different parts of Bothell, in 1958 the Fries family bought Phil’s grandparents’ home and acreage that overlooked the North Creek Valley, and moved into the residence in 1962. Phil graduated from Bothell High School, class of 1970. In 1972, after a short stint at Everett Community College, Phil enlisted in the United States Army and for two years served as an Admin Specialist at Headquarters Command in Berlin, Germany. During his time there he delivered top secret papers by walking through the wall that separated East and West Berlin. He received 4 medals and commendations for his actions.
After his tour of duty Phil completed his degree at Everett C.C. and transferred to the University of Washington where in 1980 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management.
In February 1983, Phil married Pam Wells of Issaquah, WA and together started a new chapter in their lives as a loving couple. Beginning in 1984, and for the next 30 years, Phil worked for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Throughout his career with the DNR he held numerous positions, but what he loved most was being out among the tall evergreens, whether cruising timber for the the state or being called upon to help fight forest fires in the Pacific Northwest region, the outdoors was Phil’s calling.
An athlete and avid sportsman, Phil was an all-star left fielder for his local little league team and through out the years played on a variety of softball teams. But one of his main passions was that of steelhead fishing. Along with his buddies, Clyde Kennard and Jeff Vitulli there wasn’t a fishing hole they didn’t know, whether it be on the Stilly, North Fork of the Sky or the good old Sammamish slough, and years later the Hoh. They never seemed to come up empty handed.
As his job would require him to move, first to Forks, then Bryant, Washington, Phil and Pam finally called Port Angeles home where they raised their two sons Chris and David.
Planning for retirement, Phil and Pam purchased a two acre lot between Sequim and Port Angeles where over the years Phil created a park like setting and moved his dad’s old old Shasta trailer on it. Many family gatherings were spent there, but his pride and joy of the property was that of a custom made outhouse he made that fit perfectly in the natural setting. Upon retiring, Phil and Pam completed a dream and built their retirement home on the property where they enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, rabbits and dogs but most importantly, being grandpa and grandma to their five grandchildren.
Phil was preceded in death by his father George (1992) mother Frances (2009). He is survived by his wife Pam of Port Angeles, sons Chris (Sammie) Lincoln, ND; David (Brittany), Port Angeles; mother-in-law Jeanne Wells (Port Angeles); brothers George (Rebecca) Daytona Beach, FL and Marty (Jean) Bothell, sister Jeanne Blevins (Bothell) and five grand children Tanner, Laci, Natalie, Avery, and Aria.
Phil will receive full military honors at a celebration of life at the family home, following a service at New Life Open Bible, 402 E 6th St Port Angeles at 1:00PM, Saturday, October 27th, 2018. Please join us to share your favorite memories of Phil so we may treasure them together.
