Sayles, Ivan Roe

A Tribute to a Life Well Lived Ivan Roe Sayles died peacefully 
Tuesday, May 25, 2010, in his home in Pullman, Washington, 
after a shortillness. The oldest son of a farm family of seven 
children in Winona, Washington, Ivan's character was rooted 
in the soil of integrity, hard work, unselfishness and humor. 
Ivan lived his life with a positive, "can do" attitude that kept 
him active all of his 92 years. After a shotgun accident on 
the farm at age 16, he lost most of his left arm. "I don't 
consider my amputated arm a disability; it was just a bump 
along the road of life," he shared. A graduate of Endicott 
High School, he was still a starter for the championship 
basketball team. He was recruited for the Washington State 
College basketball team by Jack Friel in 1935, but decided 
to focus on his education and graduated from WSC in 1939 
in business administration. Ivan never retired, but served the 
insurance needs of Pullman and thesurrounding areatowns, 
university and Palouse farmshis whole life. He helped 
consolidate Sayles Insurance Agency and the Downen Agency 
to form AIA, which reaches fourteen communities in Eastern 
Washington and Idaho. His motto always was, "It's the service 
that counts!" He never met a stranger and connected with 
people in organizations all across our region. He was a city 
councilman, charter member of the Lion's Club, and on the 
Pullman Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. Ivan was a 
member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, the Chamber of 
Commerce, the WSU Alumni Association and Alpha Kappa Psi 
(business fraternity). He worked with United Way, the school 
district levies, the Pullman Presbyterian church's building 
committee, the Independent Insurance Agents andBrokers of 
Washington and several insurance company boards. He 
enjoyed fishing, golf, summers at Priest Lake, whale 
watching off Maui and Johnny Cash. When asked what made 
him the happiest, he answered, "Making otherpeople 
happy." We can verify he did just that! He was a faithful 
husband to Velma (Martin) for 61 years and a caring dad to 
son Gary (who died in 2005) and daughters Sherry Varkonyi 
(Vic), Carol Rydbom (Mike), Donna Sayles-Lundy (Mike). His 
grand children Jamie Smart (Josh), Jenni Warren (Justin), 
Drew, Krystan, Aydan and great grandson Brendan Roe 
inherit a solid legacy on which to model their lives. His 
brother Dee Sayles and sister Pearl Mae Dotson survive Ivan. 
Preceding him in death are brothers Lenus Williams and Dale 
Sayles and sisters Roda Inman and Norva Fox. Ivan, Dad, 
Bopey, Papa and Grandpa We know you died in Christ and 
we will see you again. You now have two strong arms to give 
great bear hugs. But if it is copacetic with youwe'll recognize 
you better if you keep the flat top! There is no one who can 
take your place. We love you so Your family and it is a 
picnic! At Ivan's request, there will be a private family 
celebration of his life. Memorials may be sent to the 
Spokane Veterans Home in memory of his son Gary's life and 
service in the U.S. Air Force. The address for theSpokane 
Veterans Home is 222 E. 5th, Spokane, WA 99202; phone 
number (509) 344-5773. On line condolences may be left at 
www.kimballfh.com KIMBALL FUNERAL HOME, Pullman, is 
caring for the family. 

Published in Spokesman-Review from May 27 to May 28, 
2010