J. Roger Axelson

Roger Axelson, age 76, passed away October 24, 2021 at his home in Bellingham surrounded by his family. He was born July 23,1945 in Bellingham to Clarence and Gwen Axelson. He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1963 and remained a lifelong resident of Bellingham.
Roger founded and owned award-winning ARA Architects which he led for decades in Bellingham. His legacy will live on in his local designs which include Fairhaven Middle School, Bellingham High School and other local school remodels, Grizzly Industrial buildings, Mykonos Restaurant, The Plaza Building in Blaine which houses Drayton Harbor Oyster Restaurant/Kaisacole Seafood Market/The Inn on the Harbor, along with countless other businesses/fire stations/churches and private homes.
He was a driven, goal-oriented professional who loved his family dearly.
Roger was a passionate glider pilot and was a member of Evergreen Soaring in Arlington. He enjoyed biking and rowing with his wife, Pam, working on household projects, music and travel. Roger loved his dogs and his dogs loved him.
Roger was preceded in death by his daughter Nicholle and her husband Mickey, his parents Clarence and Gwen, his brother Ron and former wife Cheryl. He is survived by his wife Pam Axelson, four daughters Lisa Axelson-Reid (Rocky), Katie Baumann, Megan Baumann (Jon Hahn), and Elizabeth Baumann, grandchildren Sophie and Hudson Reid and Kaitlen Hahn, sister Jeanne Nielsen and many loving relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be held at Greenacres Memorial Park on Tuesday, November 23 at 10 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation.
You may share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com .