Earl Thomas Pargeter, Sr. | Jan. 2, 1930 – Sept. 20, 2025

In Loving Memory of Earl Thomas Pargeter, Sr.

January 2, 1930 – September 20, 2025

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Earl Thomas “Tom” Pargeter, Sr., age 95, of Anchorage and Willow, Alaska, and Vashon Island, Washington, exchanged his temporary home on earth for his eternal home in heaven with God and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Tom was born January 2, 1930, in West Seattle, Washington, the son of Earl Vincent Pargeter and Olive Catherine (Meyers) Pargeter. A 1948 graduate of West Seattle High School, he went on to earn his degree from the University of Washington in 1952. While there, he met the love of his life, Constance “Connie” Leigh Ellingsworth, in a psychology class. They were married on September 16, 1951, and had just celebrated 74 years together.

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” — Proverbs 18:22

In 1953 Tom was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Sacramento, California. Following his service, he began his banking career in Seattle in 1956, later joining National Bank of Alaska in 1960. Over the years, he rose from Teller to Senior Vice President, retiring in 1993. Known for his leadership, he was once named “Boss of the Year,” and he also taught at Robert Morrison’s Associates School of Banking.

Tom loved his work, but his greatest joy was his family. In 1969, he and Connie purchased a cabin on Rainbow Lake in Willow, Alaska, where they built a family retreat that became a gathering place of love, laughter, and memories. Later, they divided their time between Alaska, Arizona for Mariners Spring Training, and Vashon Island, depending on the season.

A lifelong learner, Tom loved reading, note-taking, and studying the Bible. He was devoted to his Lord, to the UW Huskies, to the Seattle Mariners, and above all, to his family. He lived with open hands — generous, kind, and always giving of himself and the blessings God entrusted to him.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William “Bill” Pargeter. He is survived by his beloved wife Connie, their five children: Catherine Leigh Crew, Nancy Ann Bentley, Victoria Sara “Vicki” Pargeter, Stacy Lynn Hotes, and Earl Thomas Pargeter, Jr., along with sons-in-law Thomas Bentley, Jr. and Jack Hotes, and daughter-in-law Janet (Speedy) Pargeter.

He was blessed with 12 grandchildren:

Sara (Bentley) Palmer, Macey (Bentley) Boughter, Samantha Bentley, Thomas (Boomer) Bentley III, Stacy Hotes-Aprato, Jana Hotes, John Thomas (JT) Hotes, Earl Thomas (Tommy) Pargeter III, Michael Pargeter, Allison (Pargeter) Johann, Earl Charles Crew, and Bryan Crew.

And with 16 great-grandchildren:

Dalen Palmer, Logan, Asher, and Beck Boughter, Indianna, Dempsey, and Walker Bentley, Aiden (Flynn), Cyrus, and Fletcher Pargeter, Zoey, and Ruby Pargeter, Grayson, Finley, and Maeve Johann, and Auden Hotes-Aprato.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.” —Psalm 127:3–5

Tom’s quiver was indeed full and overflowing. He will be remembered as a man of faith, honesty, generosity, and family devotion. His legacy continues in each of us.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Bethel Chapel, on Vashon Island, Washington.

A memorial service will also take place in Willow, Alaska, in the spring of 2026.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be directed to Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief.