Retired state Supreme Court justice Tom Chambers passes away

ISSAQUAH - Retired state Supreme Court Justice Tom Chambers passed away Wednesday evening at his home in Issaquah after a battle with cancer. He was 70.

Chambers was elected to the Washington Supreme Court in 2000 and served until his retirement at the end of 2012.

Chambers was born and raised in the Yakima Valley and grew up working on cars in his father's gas station.

He graduated from WSU and attended the University of Law School.

In addition to being a well-known lawyer, he also became an accomplished pilot and scuba diver.

Justice Chambers is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judy, their 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks people to make donations to Gilda's Club, which is located in Chambers' former office building on Seattle's Capitol Hill.

A public memorial will be held at 4 p.m. on January 9 at the Museum of Flight.