Gary A. Peterson

Gary A Peterson, age 61, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2014 from complications due to Ataxia.

Gary was born October 18, 1952 to Ken and Clara Peterson in Bellingham, where he lived his entire life. Gary graduated from Bellingham High School in 1972 and then graduated from Bellingham Tech as a heavy duty mechanic. After graduation he started with the Bellingham School District as a bus mechanic and retired after 30 years.

Gary loved his Harley Davidson motorcycles, snow skiing with his family and friends, hunting with his buddies, and traveling with his wife and sons to sporting activities and camping. He also helped coach Sons of Thunder wrestling and soccer for his boys.
Gary was happiest at Lummi Island with family and friends, manning the BBQ, boating, crabbing, or sitting by the fire. He was truly at peace there. Later in years he enjoyed making wooden cars for Toys for God’s Kids, which were sent all over the world.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Kenneth Gordon and his sister Dixie Ann. He is survived by his mother Clara, his wife of 38 years, Cheryll, and their three sons Travis (Rina and their son Gou), Tyson (Angie and their children Naomi and Emmett), and Trent (Layla his dog), his brother Ken (Kris), along with many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and wonderful friends.

Gary's love of life and family, his dignity, and his sense of humor in spite of his physical difficulties touched and inspired many people he encountered. He always tried to look at life with the glass half full. We love you Gary and will miss you but you will always be in our hearts and never forgotten.

Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation at 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225, or to the National Ataxia Foundation at www.ataxia.org .

A celebration of Gary’s life will be held Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Westford‘s Broadway Hall, 1300 Broadway in Bellingham at 2:00pm.