Monday, October 19, 2026
Edwin Lee Metcalf was born in Aberdeen, Washington, on March 15, 1931. He died in Spokane, Washington, on October 7, 2026.
Ed grew up in Olympia with parents, Raymond and Clare (Burgett) Metcalf, and sister Catherine. He enjoyed scouting, camping at Mount St. Helens, and swimming in icy Spirit Lake. He attended Olympia High School, where he played trombone in the orchestra and marching band, and graduated with the class of 1950. He served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954, and upon completion of service, enrolled in Central Washington University. It was in Central’s registration line that he met Donna Doering, who would become his wife.
Ed and Donna married in September 1958 and settled in Edmonds. They raised their family there and remained for 46 years before relocating to Maple Valley, and eventually to his hometown of Olympia. An economist who became a certified purchasing manager (CPM), Ed spent his career mainly with the Boeing company, from which he retired in 1993.
He was involved with Cub Scouting when his boys were young. Always a sports enthusiast, he worked on the original statistics crew of the Supersonics during their first six seasons. For many years, he bowled in a weekly league. He coached countless youth teams – flag football, basketball, and baseball – making sure that all who turned out got to play, regardless of skill level.
His love of baseball and dedication to introducing kids to sports made it all the sweeter when he was in attendance with his grandsons when Felix Hernandez pitched his perfect game for the Mariners.
After his coaching days were through, he and Donna traveled in their Roadtrek van to support the Washington Huskies on the road. His travels were not limited to sporting events. With Donna, he Roadtrekked throughout the West and Southwest and wintered at Sunflower Resort in Surprise, Arizona, for twenty years. Ed became vice president of the Roadtrek Association’s Region 8, which included the northwestern U.S. and southwestern Canada. In that role Ed, a natural organizer, put together several successful rallies that brought together Roadtrek enthusiasts from near and far. Ed and Donna loved cruising in Alaska, on the rivers of Europe, through the Panama Canal, and into the Caribbean.
Ed was very much an old-school kind of guy. He fondly recalled watching Seattle sports greats Hugh McElhenny and Elgin Baylor, and listening to Leo Lassen’s baseball game calls on the radio. He never cared for athletes who felt they were bigger than the game. When discussing music, he liked to talk about Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Frank Sinatra.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Donna; parents Ray and Clare; sister Cathie Metcalf Rhodes; and daughter-in-law Barbie Metcalf. He will be missed by his daughter, Mary; son Matthew, Matt’s wife Terri, and their sons Ethan and Benjamin; son Mark, and Mark’s wife Kelli.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, Edmonds Club, in his name. No service is planned.
