Kirkland resident John Overleese, 68, died on Oct. 1 of cancer. But the community will remember Overleese not by his final 18 months but by his life in Kirkland and his big heart.
“He was generous to a fault,” said Teddy Overleese, who was married to John for 46 years. “Whenever he saw someone who needed help he tried to help. He just loved helping people. Obviously he will be very missed. He was bigger than life.”
Overleese was a Kirkland Rotarian, a member of Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve and the Wisdom Group.
“He will be missed because of the little things,” said former Kirkland Mayor Bill Woods, who is also a Rotarian. “He was always the first one there when we needed a volunteer. He was a quiet guy but he made a difference.”
But Overleese gave big, too.
His biggest impact came from his donations to groups such as the Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, national Alzheimer’s Association and the Seattle Symphony.
“He donated to all sorts of gatherings. It benefitted so many organizations I can’t even tell you them all,” said Teddy, who is also very involved with the community including her work with the Kirkland Downtown Association and the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.
“We estimated that he gave over $200,000. He raised $10,000 for Evergreen Hospital for one tasting.”
Overleese worked in the wine and spirits industry representing premium brands that included: Dom Perignon, Hennessey, Tanqueray, Johnnie Walker and was one of 15 Scotch Masters in the U.S.
He would donate tastings to auctions and other fund-raising events.
Woods said that he got a better appreciation for the “finer” drinks after participating in a tasting.
“He knew what he was talking about and it was different after you went to one of those things.”
“He loved his job and loved having parties,” said Teddy. “He was known for his knowledge of wines and spirits and he always had the best stuff.”
Overleese was passionate about other things like being a Master Gardener.
“We have a neighbor who built a ladder to come across the fence so he could enjoy the garden,” said Teddy, who said her yard has nine fruit trees and many different varieties of fruit and vegetables. “The grandchildren all loved to come to grandpa’s garden.”
Another passion was being a part of Rotary.
“He loved selling Duck Dash tickets,” said Teddy. “He would talk to people about their families and follow them out to their car. I think they would buy one just to get rid of him but he just loved talking to people.”
Woods said that Overleese was passionate about keeping Rotary money in the community to help Kirklanders.
“He loved to sell those tickets and he was adamant that the money to go community services,” said Woods.
Overleese went into a coma before his death but Woods did get to say goodbye to his friend.
“I held his hand and let him know how much everyone loved him,” said Woods. “And he squeezed my hand.”
Overleese was born on March 20, 1943 in California and lived in the small desert town of Kelso where his father worked for Union Pacific Railroad and his mother was a teacher.
He moved to Las Vegas while still in elementary school and graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1960.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and also was married in 1965.
Overleese was a Naval Supply Corp Officer aboard the USS Henrico during the Vietnam War and honorably discharged as a Lieutenant in 1969. He was hired by United Vintners and transferred to the Northwest in 1974 as a states manager living in Kirkland.
He is survived by his wife, Teddy, sons Jason and Erik, daughter-in-law Kris, grandchildren Ethan and Tessa.
A service for Overleese will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Kirkland Performance Center. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, to send donations to Evergreen Hospital Foundation: 12040 N.E. 128th Street, MS#5, Kirkland, WA 98034-3013.
