Nate Washington – May 2, 1914 – August 18, 2007
Nate (Nathaniel) Washington died recently (August 18th) at 93 years of age. (See obituary) Nate practiced law in Grant County with Jim Wickwire. He was a man of many accomplishments. He was born in Coulee City. His dad died in a drowning accident when he was young. While attending Ephrata high school he was captain of the football and basketball teams as well as student body president. He attended the University of Washington during the depression only with the help of a benefactor. That assistance was the reason he felt a need to help others. While at the University he was elected student body president. He then went on to law school. An interesting fact about that is that as he was graduating and before taking the bar he ran as a Democrat for Grant County prosecutor and got the votes, but was disqualified when he failed to pass the bar exam. He passed on the next test and went to be elected Grant County prosecutor later. In 1948 he was elected to the State House and then was elected to the Senate where he served six terms. Later in life he taught courses at Gonzaga University. What I admired about this man was the respect he enjoyed on both sides of the aisle while serving in the legislature. He was known as the "conscience of the Senate" for his honesty and integrity as well as his ability to bring both sides of the aisle together in passing legislation. Nate was a good example of what lawyers should strive for – helping others.