Ernest "Buddy" Arthur Elston Jr

Ernest “Buddy” Elston, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 28, 2023 surrounded by his family in Lake Tapps, WA. He led a full and active life for 79 years. Buddy was born in Tacoma, WA on August 29, 1943. He was the only son of Ernest and Alice Elston. A local Pierce County boy his entire life, Buddy grew up in the Lackamas area, then graduated from Bethel High School in 1960. For most of his career, Buddy worked in the logging industry. He learned the industry working with his father, earned a reputation for his skill with a saw, and developed a loyal team as the owner/operator of his logging business. Later, he become a short-haul semi truck driver around Puget Sound. At 22, he married fellow Bethel alum Sharon Kanton. They were inseparable for 57 years, united by many shared passions. An avid outdoorsman, Buddy spent countless hours hunting, fishing, camping and traveling with friends and family. A baseball player at Bethel, Buddy later played softball for many years. He was a familiar face around local bowling alleys, participating in a variety of leagues and national tournaments. Buddy and Sharon regularly danced at the Eagles and traveled to casinos across the Pacific Northwest. He coached sports, participated in Boy Scouts, led family reunions, and rarely missed his children’s and grandchildren’s games, performances, and competitions. He was predeceased by his sister Betty and his brother James (in infancy). Buddy is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon, his three children, Craig (Heidi), Tina (Vince) and Cary (Shirley), and his four grandchildren, Austin, Hayley, Sydney and Teron. Buddy believed “a stranger is just a friend you ain’t met yet” and will be missed by many who heard his stories, played a game of cribbage, or shared a camp site. He was not only a good man, but a good guy.