We say goodbye, again…

Carolyn Beth Ashburn Rawls
1947-2019

October 6, 1947 – August 20, 2019 Carolyn Beth Rawls, 71, of Snohomish, WA, passed away on the evening of August 20, 2019. Carolyn was born to Jonathan and Gloria Ashburn, on October 6, 1947, in Bellingham, WA. She leaves daughters, Kristi Manning, Jennifer Giambrone; sister, Margaret Soth; grandchildren, Keiley Manning, Joey Giambrone, Kaitlyn Giambrone; great-grandchildren, Rylinn Reiter, Kylie Reiter.  Her family will remember her as an intensely strong woman whose devotion to the ones she loved was felt every day and in everything she did. A Remembrance Gathering is scheduled for October 13, 2019, 3:00-5:30 p.m. at Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo, WA.

Another Loss So Soon…

Dana J. Feldmann
1947-2019

Dana J. Feldmann, 72 of Lynden, Washington, peacefully passed into the arms of his Savior on July 23, 2019 surrounded by his family. A private memorial service will be at a later day In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to Boy Scouts of America. Dana was born February 27, 1947 in Centralia, Washington, the second son of Lester and Minerva Feldmann. He married Marsha J. Murphy December 9, 1972 in Portland, OR. Survivors include his wife, Marsha J. Feldmann, Lynden, WA, children, Jim (Kelly) Murphy, Mackinaw, IL, Mardana (John) Hay, Abbotsford, Canada, and Shana (Aaron) Frankovich, Castle Rock, CO, and 5 grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Fred Feldmann, Acworth, GA; Cary (Nancy) Feldmann, Bonney Lake, WA and their families. Dana was a longtime resident of Whatcom County. After graduation from Bellingham High School he attended the University of Washington to study architecture followed by a couple years as a crewman on several large sailing ships in the Caribbean. Dana found Marsha, the love of his life, while in Portland, they married and returned to the Whatcom County where he began to work at Intalco. He retired from Intalco after 29 years of service. He loved the ocean which included sailing, clam digging and surf fishing. He loved art projects and was always creating something novel. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, who will miss him dearly.

 

Another Farewell…

Charles Larry Smith
1946-2019

Born 7/26/1946 in Bellingham to Charles and Beatrice (Depew) Smith; he died 6/22/2019. Graduated from Bellingham High in 1965. Served in the US Marine Corp Reserve. Was married to Patty Van Dyk for 21 years. Had a son, Denny and a daughter, Tammy. Worked for Intalco for 30 years. Owned the Holy Smoke Tavern with wife Karen Matter. Had a son, Trevor with companion Linda Pike. Enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, boating and motorcycling. Preceded in death by Grandparents, Stoey and Myrtle (Blodgett) Depew, his parents and brother Dan (Sue) Smith. Survived by sisters Charlene (Jim) Scott and Linda (Mike) Hook, son Denny Smith, daughter Tammy Smith, Son Trevor Smith, granddaughter Ashley Goering, Grandson Matt Goering, Great Granddaughter Aaliyah Goering, Great Grandson Novah Rambow. After a short stay in Hospice he passed away from pancreatic cancer. A private memorial will be observed.

Again, we say goodbye…

It is with regret that we announce another loss from our classmate roster…James William Bagley.  We extend our condolences to Jim’s family and friends.  His obituary is included on our “In Fond Memory” page.

James William Bagley
1947-2019

James William Bagley, Jim, died unexpectedly on May 1, 2019. He was a life long resident of Whatcom County though born in Port Angeles, he lived briefly, as a child, in Crescent City, California. Jim retired from the City of Bellingham. Preceding him in death were grandparents Mel and Maude Brann, parents Bill and Maxine Bagley, his Aunt Carm and Uncle Louie Brown, and brother in law Chris Troha. He is survived by his spouse, Cathy Shuler, of 22 years and her children Erica and Brian. JB left four siblings and their families: Norm Bagley (Carol Eckloff), Coral Donavon (Jim), Francene MacDonald (Scott) and Freddie Ann Troha. Other survivors include his cousin Jackie Bruce (Randy), Jim’s daughter Melanie, and former wife Terry Daly and her daughter Sharon Cload. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please donate to the Brain Trauma Foundation.  After Jim’s car accident in high school he had many physical challenges He met them with bravery, a great sense of humor and the strongest handshakes and hugs imaginable. JB will be missed by his family and many friends. Services will be announced at a later date.

Regretfully, another goodbye…

We regret to announce that we have lost another of our classmates, Janice Dahl.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family including her mother, Dorothy, and to our classmate and Janice’s cousin, Kurt Anderson.  Janice’s obituary has been added to our memorial page, “In Fond Memory.”

Janice Lorraine Dahl
(1947-2019)

Janice L. Dahl of Renton, WA, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019. She was 71, born on November 16, 1947 in Bellingham, WA to Karl and Dorothy Dahl. Janice was preceded in death by her father Karl and is survived by her mother Dorothy; her brothers Ed (Barbara) Dahl and Jon (Ellen) Dahl; her sister Ann Dahl; and numerous nieces, nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and cousins. Janice graduated from Bellingham High School in 1965 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University. She worked for King County since graduation, working twenty five years as a Regional Recreation Program Administrator and then as a Ride Share Service Representative in accounting when she retired last July 31st. In her younger years her hobbies were slow pitch softball, badminton, and bowling; winning many trophies in slow pitch. Janice was also very involved with Special Olympics. She enjoyed traveling around the United States to visit family and even took a trip to Norway and Sweden. Her family and friends will always remember her as a kindhearted person, always doing random acts of kindness, paying for someone groceries or a meal was the norm for her. To her it wasn’t just big things that made a difference but also the little things. Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church. A celebration of life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4th at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellingham. You may share your memories at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.

 

Once again, we say goodbye…

Glen donated three of his photographs to our 50th reunion fund raiser for BHS.  I was a lucky recipient of one of these, a picture of Whatcom Falls, which is displayed on my office wall.  Rest in peace, Glen.

—Karen

Glen Arthur McMurry, 70, of Sedro-Woolley passed away Monday, November 5, 2018. Glen was born December 24, 1947 to Neil and Hannah McMurry in Bellingham, WA. He graduated from Bellingham High School and obtained a degree from Skagit Valley College in Forestry. He resided in Skagit Valley for many years where he built himself a “man cave” shop, with a residence attached. He retired from the Department Of Transportation where he worked on our major highways as an engineer. Glen was passionate about woodworking, photography, and hiking. He built wood rocking motorcycles, kaleidoscopes and hope chests for a few of his family members. He inherited his Dad’s green thumb and produced an impressive garden every year. Glen also put a lot of work into making a calendar every year that featured his photographs of beautiful scenery. He passed these out to family and friends. He took 1st prize in the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival photo contest in 2015. After he retired he started “Shutter Finger Photographs,” and started selling his photos. Many photos he printed on canvas and stretched himself, others he place in hand built frames. Glen is survived by five siblings, Marjorie Giger, of Bellingham, Frank (Julie) McMurry, of Bellingham, Robert McMurry, of Seattle, Irene (Roger) Hall, of Friday Harbor, Alan (Laurie) McMurry, of Kirkland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Hannah McMurry; brother-in-law, Wesley Giger. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00, Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, with a reception immediately following at Rustic Roots, 133 State St. Suite B, Sedro-Woolley. Share your memories of Glen and sign the online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com.

Heartbreaking News…

It is with heavy hearts that we report that the man who was murdered on a local trail here in Bellingham was a member of our class.  Donald T. Alderson was found stabbed Saturday, 06 October 2018 .  Click here  for the initial story and then a follow-up story on Don:

Crime Story

Friends Remember Don

Fifteen Minutes of Fame…

We made the BIG TIME and are getting our fifteen minutes of fame.  The small group of the 50-year reunion committee who painted The Rock south of Bellingham is featured in the Herald today.  Check it out!

The Rock

—Karen

Farewell…

John H. Hocking
(1947-2018)

John H. Hocking, 71, a longtime Mount Vernon resident, passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 after a battle with cancer.  John was born in Bremerton, WA on January 3, 1947, the son of Norman and Dorothy (Hogan) Hocking. The family later moved to Bellingham, where John was raised. He attended Shuksan Jr. High School and graduated with the class of 1965 from Bellingham High School.

Always a hard worker who wanted to make his own way, John was on a boat graduation night headed to Alaska to begin commercial fishing. During the fishing off season, he worked for Bellingham Cold Storage.  A few years later, he moved to Mount Vernon where he worked for Skagit Valley Trucking. Soon after he began his career in real estate, first with Countryside Realty, then later earning his Broker’s license and opening his own agency, J&J Properties. John found his passion in real estate development. He was proud of his accomplishments and grateful for the life he was able to lead.

John was forever teaching his children and grandchildren the value of a dollar. He loved animals, especially his beloved dogs, Otis & Rose. His favorite pastimes were walks at Washington Park in Anacortes, and driving up into the mountains to enjoy the snow.  John will be remembered by his friends and family for his love of making a deal and living life on his own terms.

John is survived by his daughters, Rita Hocking-Kombol (Aaron) of Saudi Arabia and Bellingham and Cheri Wisdom (Brett) of Kirkland; four grandchildren, Lauren & Morgan Kombol, Mitchell & Sam Wisdom and several extended family members.

At John’s request there will be no services. Private inurnment will be at Greenacres Cemetery in Ferndale. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233 in honor of John.  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.

One More Goodbye…

Unfortunately, we add another classmate to the roll of those who have passed away this year as Sharen Farrar Macy died this past July.  Her obituary is below as well as on our “In Fond Memory…” page.  We offer condolences to her family and friends.

Sharen Lee Farrar Macy
(1947-2017)

Sharen Lee (Farrar) Macy was born April 20, 1947. She passed away July 15, 2017. She is preceded in death by her Mother, Betty Therrien, her Father, William Farrar and her husband Denny Macy. She is survived by her daughter, Babbette; sons Shane Bouffiou and Bryan (Vanessa)Bell, Brent (Shannon) Macy, Greg (Amy) Macy; brother Mike (Dianne) Farrar, grandchildren: Larrissa Barber, Kyle Macy, Brianna and Emma Bell; step parents Henry Therrien and Marilyn Farrar, nephews Jason (Becky) Farrar, Scott (Jamie Woods) Farrar; great nieces Kennedy, Ruby & Jessa Farrar and Summer & Mazee Farrar. Sharen was a talented florist and decorator. She had a great eye for beautiful antiques. She is finally home with the love of her life, Denny. Sharen was one of a kind and she will be dearly missed. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.