August 2017 Bar Bulletin
Anthony “Tony” L. Yerry: 1989–2017
By Christine Dreps
This is the first time I have written a tribute or memorial for a member, but more significantly for someone who was a friend. Tony Yerry was in his second year as a YLD trustee and was incredibly committed to finding new ways to spark the interest of young attorneys and making them feel welcome. Tony’s joy for life was infectious, which made every conversation great fun.
Tony’s friends, family, and colleagues are absolutely stunned at this loss. The grief at Tony’s service was heavy, with many in tears, but the laughs were also plentiful. The stories shared by Tony’s sister and his longtime girlfriend were heartfelt and inspiring, and made you want to be more like Tony. Father Kyle Manglona declared that if he had the chance to know Tony, he would not only want to be his friend, but his best friend.
Tony earned his Eagle Scout badge at age 17, but this was just the beginning of an impressive list of accomplishments. Tony attended the University of Washington, where his love of all things “Purple and Gold” was born. Tony was president of the Theta Xi fraternity and then studied law at Seattle University, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Tony worked at K&L Gates as a corporate attorney and developed a reputation as a valued and integral member of the firm. Tony also served with distinction as a trustee of the KCBA Young Lawyers Division.
“Probably within the first month of his time at K&L Gates, Tony spoke to me about becoming involved with bar activities,” said Peter Talevich, a colleague and former YLD trustee. “Like with anything he did, Tony made a clear plan and followed through, and was a great member of the division and its board. It was great to share these experiences with him, and his outgoing personality made our work more meaningful.”
All of Tony’s significant work was guided by the way in which he treated everyone. According to his close friend and colleague DC Wolf, “Tony was perhaps the most loving and authentic person I’ve ever met. He was loyal, reliable, kind, gregarious, and hardly ever (if at all) in a bad mood. He was a great man and the world is poorer in his absence.”
Tony passed away while hiking near Marmot Pass on July 1. Tony is survived by his mom Debby Yerry-Eason; stepfather Scott Eason; sister Ashley Krom; brother-in-law Nick Krom; stepbrothers Erick Eason and Ryan Eason; grandparents George and Angie Yerry; Ana Reyes, his longtime partner and girlfriend; many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends who all miss his dearly.
Tony’s family and friends have created a scholarship fund in Tony’s name to help students and aspiring lawyers in the pursuit of higher education. Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/remembering-tony-yerry.
Christine Dreps is the member services senior manager for the King County Bar Association.