Eric Reed Beardsley

1925-2014

Eric Reed Beardsley passed away peacefully on Dec. 17th after living a very full life. He was 89 years old. Born and raised in Yakima, WA. He and his three brothers were raised by his beloved mother, Edith. His Dad, Harold, died in an accident in Alaska when he was three years old. He was an all-around athlete at Yakima Valley College and Central Washington University (CWU). He received his MS degree from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He started the wresting programs at Moses Lake High in 1952 and later at CWU in 1959. While at CWU they were NAIA National Champions in 1971 and 1974. He was NAIA Coach of the year in 1971 and 1974. Eric coached CWU wrestling to a National power until he retired in 1985, capping 34 years of coaching. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame as a coach and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his Lifetime Service to Wrestling. He also received the CWU Distinguished Alumni Award. Most importantly, he was an ambassador for wrestling in the state of Washington.

He and his wife, Glenna, moved from Ellensburg to Lynden in 2007, to be closer to their son and the golf course. He loved spending time with his family, and going to Hawaii, where he and Glenna spent many of their winters. Traveling to Scotland, his mother's birth place, was a trip of a lifetime for him.

He is survived by his wife, Glenna, and they would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this week. He is also survived by his son, Eric S. (Pat); his son-in-law, Dan O'Connor, of Leavenworth WA.; and his grandchildren, Taliia Beardsley, and Cameron Hollingsworth; and his cherished great-granddaughter, Paris Beardsley. His daughter, Sandy, passed away in 2006. Also, preceding him in death were his brothers, Rodd, Bruce and Jim.

Eric will be greatly missed by his family and the many people whose life he touched. Many of his wrestlers kept in touch with him throughout the years, letting him know how much he inspired and meant to them. He will always be known for his big smile, positive words, and warm greetings that he gave everyone, even up to his last days. His beautiful smile, twinkling blue eyes, and kind heart will never be forgotten. He truly cared about people and never had a bad word to say about anyone. LOVE LASTS FOREVER, as he would like to remind us.

The family would like to thank the staff at Christian Health Care Center for the loving and wonderful care they provided the past year, and memorials may be given to the Center: CHCC at 855 Aaron Dr. in Lynden, WA 98264. A service will be held at 1:00, Saturday, December 27th at Gillies Funeral Home at 202 Front St., Lynden.

You are invited to share your memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.