LAWTON ALDER "CHIC" HULL
May 2, 1926 ~ July 15, 2018
Lawton Alder "Chic" Hull, musician and teacher, died at home peacefully on Sunday, July 15th surrounded by loved ones including his wife of 69 years, Wanda Beatrice "Bea" Jordan Hull. Born May 2, 1926 in Cottage Grove, Oregon to Leslie Lawton Hull and Veta Alfareta Kruse-Plaster, Chic graduated from Vancouver High School in 1944 and promptly served in the Navy as a sonar operator in the South Pacific.
Chic later graduated Lewis and Clark College earning both a Bachelor's in Music and a Masters of Music Education. He performed professionally on both cello and French horn with the Portland Symphony (now Oregon Symphony) and Portland Opera Symphony earning his nickname "Chic" from his wife because he wore a tux to work. Chic taught in Richland before moving to Juneau, Alaska in 1967 where he taught music in the public schools for 15 years. He played principal cello in the Juneau Symphony, and served as conductor there. An actor, singer and music director, Chic also performed with Perseverance Theatre, Juneau-Douglas Little Theatre, and the Juneau Lyric Opera. He led the Resurrection Lutheran church choir 14 years until retiring and returning to Washougal, WA in 1982. Chic loved barbershop and founded the local chapter of Sweet Adelines. He was active with civic organizations holding leadership positions in the Kiwanis, Lions, and Knights of Pythias and was a member of NW Bandmasters Assn. He was proud of his Musicians Union 99 membership which he held from 1949 until his passing. Chic was interim conductor of the Vancouver Symphony and later associate conductor under Salvador Brotons. He conducted the chancel choir at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas. He shared his lovely bass voice with Bravo and Touch of Class. Even at 80, Chic was still performing and sang bass in the barbershop quartet of Music Man.
Chic was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and especially fishing. He loved punning, telling jokes and recounting stories. His encyclopedic memory made him a great crossword solver and he challenged himself daily by timing how long he took. Chic took great pride in his family and enjoyed making music with them at every gathering.
He was predeceased by his parents and younger brother, Lowell Hull of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Chic is survived by his sister, Arlie Dale King of New York; his wife, Bea of Washougal; his daughters, Patricia Hull of Juneau and Ann Hoye (Dick) of San Clemente, CA; and grandchildren, Calissa and Matthew Hoye.
A Celebration of Life in music will be held Saturday, July 21st at 11a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to www.VancouverSymphony.org
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
We had the privilege to sing with Chic in Bravo Concerts Northwest. He was always professional, kind, supportive and of course the finest musician. A lovely gentleman. Faye and Ron Driscoll
July 19, 2018
I worked with Chic when we were in the Vancouver Symphony several years ago. Enjoyed his French Horn playing in quintets we worked together on. One of the greatest I've worked alongside. I will indeed miss him. Rest in peace Chic.
Gerry (Gary) Hofman
July 19, 2018
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