Harley Alvin Brotherton Sr., of Quilcene, Washington, passed away in Seattle, Washington on August 28, 2021, at the age
of 94.
Harley was born on July 18, 1927, in Spokane, Washington, the son of Walter Brotherton and Gladys Almira Swank, and
brother of sisters Elma Storer and Yvonne Marker. Harley’s family moved from Spokane to The Discovery Bay Area
when he was very young, where he learned the fishing, hunting, outdoors, and logging skills he would use for the rest of
his life. In his younger years he worked in the paper mill and logging industry in the Discovery Bay Area, including for
Port Townsend Timber Company and Buck Mountain Logging. He graduated from Quilcene High School in 1946 having
played football his senior year. He joined the Air Force in 1948 and was approved for a dependency withdrawal in 1949 to
move his mother and younger sister to a dryer climate for health reasons. His first home purchase was for his mother in
Entiat, Washington where he worked for a time in an Apple Box factory. Harley married his Quilcene sweetheart, Mary
Barbara Miller, in December of 1951 and then attended George Fox College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
1955. Following graduation, he worked for Quilcene Telephone Company.
In 1960 Harley transferred to Tok, Alaska, with Alaska Power and Light, arriving in mid-winter with Mary and five
young children in tow. While in Tok he began a long legacy of hunting and fishing in Alaska while also adapting to the
bitter cold of the Alaskan interior. He transferred with Alaska Power to Skagway, Alaska, in 1962 and participated in
local theater, and regularly performed the Robert Service ballad, “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”, in the “Days of 98”
Show. He continued to pursue his love of hunting on the Slana River, fishing, and enjoyed hiking the Upper and Lower
Dewey Lake trail with his family. He left Alaska power in 1966 and moved to Anchorage where he attended the
University of Alaska, Anchorage, earning a master’s degree in English. He worked a variety of jobs during his 45 years in
Alaska, including as an electrician, logger, North Slope equipment operator, DEW line (Distant Early Warning line) radar
station electrical maintenance monitor, Junior High teacher at Wendler Jr. High, and sawmill owner/operator until his
retirement in 1992. In 1989 he joined the Anchorage Community Chorus and sang with them for several years. Early in
his retirement he drove a tour bus for Mount Denali tours, regaling the occupants with Robert Service ballads and years of
hunting stories – his story telling was epic! While in Alaska he raised six children and taught them the joys of hunting,
fishing, boating, exploring, and berry picking. In 2005, Harley and Mary returned to the family homestead on Lords Lake
Loop Road in Quilcene to help care for Mary’s mother, Mary Miller, and rebuild the old house.
Growing up in the Depression era on Discovery Bay shaped Harley into a strong, resilient, enterprising person. There
wasn’t anything he couldn’t figure out, no matter what resources were available. He was a member of the Friends Church
since 1945 and was a current member of the Quilcene Bible Church. He loved kids and was a magnet for babies and
young children. He had a passion for chess, woodworking, jigsaw puzzles, memorizing/reciting Robert Service poetry and
gospel music. He was truly one of a kind, and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be
sorely missed! He had just turned 94 and lived a full, wonderful life. Harley’s wish was to have his ashes scattered at mile
92 in Birch Creek, his favorite hunting area for 40 of his years in Alaska.
Harley is survived by his wife, Mary Barbara Brotherton – Quilcene, WA, his daughter, Barbara Ellen Demmerly –
Spokane, WA, his sons, Douglas Wayne Brotherton (Elena) – Anchorage, AK, Harley Alvin Brotherton, Jr. – Wasilla,
AK, Jonathan Paul Brotherton – Greensboro, NC, thirteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces
and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his Parents, Walter Brotherton and Gladys Almira Swank, his sisters, Elma Storer and Yvonne
Marker, and his sons, Timothy Bruce Brotherton and Daniel Alan Brotherton.
A Celebration of Harley’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 2 at 2:00 pm at the Quilcene Bible Church, 29543 Hwy
101, Quilcene Washington. The service will be followed with a potluck reception. In
lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), Harley’s
favorite charity. Condolences for the family may be posted online at elementalnw.com under “Obituaries”.
