Herb Bacon believed we can’t make it alone. His way of living was shaped by single acts of love witnessed while growing up during the Depression, on the family farm in Montana where neighbors helped neighbors.

He lived out this belief through his 100 years and one month of life, through continuous service to his community, his church, his family and friends.

Herbert Edgar Bacon of Langley, born Aug. 26, 1918 in Billings, Mont., to Warren and Katherine (Snow) Bacon, determined on Sept. 25 that his work here on earth was done. Herb left the farm and joined the Navy to serve from Nov., 1942 until Feb., 1946 as a pharmacist’s mate.

He met his beloved Lila Zechman in Seattle at the Lois Apple Dance Hall, and they were married on Dec. 5, 1946.

Herb went on to work for Boeing, and was promoted through the ranks from fork truck operator to manager of the maintenance department until his retirement in 1981.

While in Seattle, Herb was dedicated to his family and supporting the life of Keystone Congregational Church.

He and Lila raised four children in their home on Wallingford, spending summer weekends at their Whidbey Island cabin on Bells Beach.

When Herb retired, he and Lila built their “forever home” on Bells Beach, and he spent the past 37 years living his belief in the importance of helping and being a friend to his fellow humans through his involvements at Langley United Methodist Church, South Whidbey Lions Club and the Baby Island Community Club.

Herb was an avid Husky, Seahawks and Mariners fan, daily Skip-Bo player, lover of a good martini and someone who would strike up a conversation with all he met – whether at the grocery store, on a hiking trail in Yellowstone Park or with his fellow passengers on the airport shuttle, the latter of which led to him meeting his dear companion of the past six years, Meradene Haskins.

Herb was preceded in death by Lila in 2011 and son Michael in 2013. He is survived by his sister Geneva Lewis of Louisville, Ky; daughters Jan (Jim) Massey of Tulsa, Okla.; Carol (Randy Rubottom) Clark of Prescott, Ariz.; Sue (Jim) Riney of Oak Harbor, nine grandchildren and 11 great–grandchildren.

A service for Herb will be held on Monday, Oct. 1, at Langley United Methodist Church at 10 a.m., reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you perform an act of kindness for a friend or neighbor in need or donate to the charity of your choice.