This In Remembrance section lists WSBA members by Bar number and date of death. The list is not complete and contains only those notices of which the WSBA has learned through correspondence from members. When available, obituaries are linked below.
Please email notices and requests to link obituaries to wabarnews@wsba.org.
David Allen,
#500, 8/19/2024
Kenneth Bleyer,
#54786, 8/20/2024
Joseph Calandriello,
#31172, 2/23/2023
Tresa Cavanaugh,
#43146, 9/6/2024
Michael Corry,
#34005, 8/7/2024
Edwin Emerick,
#1795, 10/28/2019
Duane Hirsch,
#4950, 2/25/2024
George Holifield,
#1693, 8/7/2024
Michael Jewitt,
#49196, 7/29/2024
Jared Karstetter,
#17679, 8/19/2024
Robert Keolker,
#1474, 7/13/2024
Albert Lawrence,
#13030, 12/14/2023
Letha Owens,
#15373, 1/14/2024
Bruce Pym,
#2253, 9/29/2024
Duane Taber,
#780, 2/17/2018
Robert Wade,
#33679, 4/14/2021
Robert Windes,
#18216, 6/7/2022
Michael Zanol,
#12443, 9/6/2024
WSBA President 1973-1974
Cleary Cone
#103, 3/25/2018
[The WSBA learned of Cleary Cone’s death in September 2024.]
Cleary Cone was born Dec. 4, 1926, and died on March 25, 2018, at the age of 91. Cone was selected for the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program at Washington State University and served during WWII. Cone also played baseball for the Bellingham Bells and other semiprofessional teams; he was awarded the Washington Semi-Pro Outstanding Player award in 1947. He pitched several perfect games, and once struck out 36 batters over two games in a single weekend. After declining an invitation to train with the New York Yankees and a principal appointment to West Point, Cone attended the University of Washington School of Law. Upon graduation, Cone joined a law firm in Ellensburg, where he practiced for 40 years. Cone served as WSBA president from 1973-1974 and in 1981 received the WSBA’s Award of Merit (now the Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst Award of Merit). He was also named a life member and fellow of the American Bar Association (ABA), a member of the House of Delegates to the ABA, a “Distinguished Alumnus” of the University of Washington School of Law, and a lifetime honorary member of the Rotary Club of Bellingham. Cone was known for having a legendary sense of humor and for never being at a loss for words. He was survived by “the love of his life” and wife of 70 years, Aleen, who died in 2023; his daughters, Cindy and Alison; his grandson, Justin; and his great grandchildren, Russell and Jordan.
Bruce Johnson
#7667, 8/20/2024
Bruce Johnson was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in Shaker Heights. He earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a master’s degree from Cambridge, and a law degree from Yale. Johnson spent almost 50 years, his entire legal career, with Davis Wright Tremaine. There, he established a media law practice, became an authority on the First Amendment and specifically commercial speech, helped develop anti-SLAPP laws, and generally served as a protector of journalists’ rights in Washington. He represented local media outlets, including The Seattle Times, which called him “one of the country’s preeminent First Amendment lawyers,” a sentiment echoed by many of his colleagues. Johnson was also one of the primary voices behind Washington’s “shield law,” which passed the Legislature in 2007 and now protects reporters in the state from being compelled to disclose confidential sources. Outside of work, Johnson loved baseball, music, theater, and the opera. He served as a board member for the Seattle Opera and Pacific Musicworks. He is described as brilliant and modest, as a devoted father, and as perpetually kind to everyone. He mentored many younger lawyers, including some who lead Davis Wright Tremaine’s media law practice today. Johnson died in August 2024 shortly after being diagnosed with ALS. He is survived by his three children, Marta, Winslow, and Russell; his wife, Sandra Davis; his two stepchildren, Lindsey and Brooke; and his grandchildren.
Joel Paget
#2575, 9/27/24
Joel Paget earned his B.A. from Seattle Pacific University and his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law. After graduation, he clerked for a year on the Washington Court of Appeals. Then in 1971, he joined the law firm of Ryan Swanson (formerly known as Ryan, Carlson, Bush, Swanson & Hendel). Paget stayed with the firm for his entire career. In 1982, Paget helped the firm launch its immigration practice group, which he chaired for many years. His legal practice included assisting immigrants in obtaining employment visas, permanent residence, citizenship, and naturalization in the U.S., and he was often quoted as saying that he helped “the best and brightest come into the United States to live and work.” He represented international businesses like BC Tel, as well as individuals and families. Paget also served as Ryan Swanson’s managing director from 1993 to 1996. Paget was deeply engaged in volunteer work; he was involved with the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington, Seattle Rotary, King County Bar Association, the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, and the Canada-America Society of Washington. He was a founding member of the Washington chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Paget was known for being a great mentor, both to young attorneys at his firm and law students and attorneys outside his firm. Paget is survived by many friends and family members, including his second wife, Helen; and his four children, Dene’, Jeremy, Justice, and Liberty.