Longtime Kennewick attorney and ‘excellent advocate’ dies

Floyd Ivey, a prominent Kennewick attorney and civic leader, died Aug. 9. He was 83.

Ivey practiced law in Kennewick for nearly 45 years but had wide ranging interests. He was active in the Eastern Washington section of the American Nuclear Society, a past-president of the the Pasco-Kennewick Rotary Club and was an elder in his church.

Ivey eschewed political correctness sensibilities, but always strove to make the Tri-Cities a better place, said Mike Paoli, former Energy Northwest Spokesman, currently serving as public affairs director for Edwards Air Force Base.

“He would also openly seek ideas and ask for feedback. Floyd was fun to be around and driven to contribute his intellect, his influence and substantial time to better our community. His energy and friendship touched so many of us,” Paoli said.

John Schultz, unofficial dean of the Tri-Cities legal community, said Ivey was a fierce advocate for clients. Ivey focused on insurance defense work early in his career and later shifted to intellectual property cases.

Schultz recalled encountering Ivey at Kennewick’s celebrated Hills Restaurant. Ivey reported being “happily retired” and was thrilled to be free of deadlines.

“He was a very nice fellow and an excellent lawyer and an excellent advocate,” he said.

Ivey was born in Raton, N.M. and met his wife, Peggy, while attending the University of New Mexico. The couple married in 1966 and were together until her death in late 2021.

Ivey worked as an electrical engineer in Las Vegas before the couple moved to Spokane and he pursued a law degree at Gonzaga.

They settled in Kennewick in 1977. The couple had two sons, Ian, and Lyle.

He was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in October 1976 and resigned in 2022.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2505 W. 27th Ave., Kennewick.

Einan’s at Sunset is in charge of arrangements. A full obituary is available online .