Wilbert 'Herkey' Denarvel Lyday

Services were held on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Sharon Seventh-Day Adventist Church for Wilbert "Herkey" LyDay. 
He was born on December 26, 1952 in Portland to Faye Evelyn LyDay and RC Morris. Raised by a single parent, Herkey was the oldest of five siblings and took pride in looking after his brothers and sisters.  He valued family. Growing up Herkey was a very outgoing, adventurous, and spontaneous person.  He quickly made lifelong friends and was well known in his neighborhood. 
As a youth Herkey was involved in many sports.  He enjoyed playing in Peninsula & Riverside baseball leagues. He earned money dutifully managing a paper route. He attended King (Highland) School (K-8th) and was actively involved in extra curricular activities. He earnestly worked at Crown Zellerbach. He went to both Adams & Jackson High Schools and graduated from Jefferson in 1971. He attended Portland State University earning straight A's.
Herkey enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada. He enthusiastically played golf in his leisure time. He worked at FMC as a welder, and later for the City of Portland's Bureau of Water works as a draftsman. His pride & joy was his son Wilbert LyDay Jr. who changed his outlook on life.
Herkey met Felita in 2001 and they blissfully married in 2002.  They were a devoted couple who enjoyed sharing their lives together. He remained with her until his death.
Herkey was most comfortable at home surrounded by family, friends, and good food.  He enjoyed a quieter life for its simplicity and ease.  He attended New Beginnings Christian Center and later Highland Christian Center Churches. Herkey was best known as a compassionate person who willingly put others first.  He had no enemies and was a forgiving person.
Herkey suffered a massive heart attack on April 26, 2008 and slipped into a coma. He died peacefully on Monday, Sept. 1 at Heaven Can Wait Care Facility in Gresham.
His mother, Faye Evelyn LyDay, preceded him in death, Wilbert "Herkey" LyDay leaves to cherish his memories:  His wife Felita Burton-LyDay; his son Wilbert LyDay Jr.; and his mother Mildred (Cookie) Willingham; three sisters, Jean LyDay, Debra LyDay, Juanita Lewis; his brother, Robert LyDay; aunts Rubie Franklin, Gladys Teague of Montgomery Texas, Jaunita Woods-Barnes (Honorary Mother); nephews Dave Cotter, John LyDay, Bryan Lewis, Robert LyDay Jr.; nieces Erica LyDay, Marneet Lewis; great nephews David Jackson-LyDay, Jaylin LyDay, his great nieces Amaris Jackson-LyDay, Kylee Jackson-LyDay, Taylor LyDay, Grace Cotter, Ella Cotter, Carrie Cotter, his cousins John Jenkins, Betty Pressley, Earnest Irving of Phoenix AZ, Ella Poole, Merron Teague of Montgomery Texas, and Charles Teague of Taft Oklahoma, Tamala Newsome, many 2nd & 3rd cousins, his brother-in-laws Mark Lewis, Artie Tyler, his former sister-in-law Pam Castillo-LyDay, his step son Michael McKinney, his step daughter Sherry Smith, his former wife Denise Brown, and lots of friends whom he loved and admired.
Arrangements by Terry Family Funeral Home. If you would like to send a personal message of condolence you can visit Herkey's online webpage and sign the Guest Book at www.terryfamilyfuneralhome.com  The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Heart Association.