Island Guardian

Tuesday, February 16th

Fredrick "Fred" William Bourland, Sr

ig_Fredrick-Fred-William_Bourland-001 (34k image)

October 6, 1936 ~ February 13, 2010

Fredrick William Bourland, Sr., a Friday Harbor resident and former general manager for Valmark, went home to be with his Lord and Savior following complications from radiation treatment for lung cancer. His life was a testimony of commitment to God, his wife, family and friends.

Fred was born October 6, 1936 in Tacoma, Washington, to William E. and Hazel C. Bourland. He grew up in Gig Harbor, Bremerton and West Seattle where he graduated from West Seattle High School in 1954. After various jobs in Seattle and California, he joined the Army and in 1959 was stationed at the Alaska Communication System in Glenallen, Alaska.

It was there he met an adventurous school teacher from North Hollywood, California, Merilyn Berthold, whom he married July 30, 1960.

Returning to Seattle, he briefly attended the University of Washington and worked in accounting for Associated Grocers before the birth of twin daughters in March 1961 and two sons in July 1962 and November 1967. He was a member of Riverton Heights Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder.

Following in his father's footsteps, he found great satisfaction in the retail & wholesale grocery business. He worked for Associated Grocers for 30 years in accounting and as a retail accounts representative throughout Northwest Washington and Alaska.

In 1971, he moved the family to Bellingham where he was active in Geneva Community Church. He "retired" to begin his second career in 1991 in the San Juan Islands where his father had been born. A descendent of Waldron Island pioneers Friederich and Louise Krumdiack , Fred felt like he was coming home. As general manager for VMAL (later Valmark, Inc.) he enjoyed overseeing operations for three grocery stores, Harbor Airlines and especially Roche Harbor Resort as his great grandfather had delivered cord wood for the limekilns in the late 1800s.

Retiring for real in 2004, Fred enjoyed island life and shared his love of baseball, football, biking, fishing and golfing with his family and friends. Even during the last two years struggling with lung cancer he rarely missed his grandsons' Tiger football and Little League baseball games. He faithfully served as Treasurer of Islands Community Church.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents (1959), surrogate parents Uncle Clifford (1992) and Aunt Katherine Bourland (1999) , and son-in-law Thomas Unger (1994). He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Merilyn; sister Billye Anderson (Richard) of Spokane; daughters Kristine Brown (David) of Friday Harbor and Kelley Unger of Bellevue; sons Fredrick, Jr. "Rick" of Maltby and Randy of Bellingham; grandsons Carson and Connor Brown of Friday Harbor.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Islands Community Church, 127 Gilbert Lane, Friday Harbor and Tuesday, February 23, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 4173 Meridian Street, Bellingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FHAA Tiger Football, P.O. Box 809, or Islands Community Church, P.O. Box 1326, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

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Monday, February 1st

Richard Lee Lawson

September 30, 1944 - January 26, 2010

Richard Lee Lawson was born September 30, 1944 in Friday Harbor WA to Gilbert and Geraldine Lawson. Richard lost his fight with cancer on January 26, 2010 at The University of Washington Medical Center.

He left behind his mother Jeri Lawson, son Richard Jr. (wife Tricia), son Tommy (wife Leah), 4 grandkids Jordan, Ashley, Brandy Lee, and Dylan, Brother Victor Lawson and Sister Ruthie Paull, nieces Cathy VanZanten and Ashley Paull, nephews Rob Lawson, Adam Paull and countless other relatives and friends.

Richard was born in the Lawson farmhouse on West Valley Rd. Farming, raising cattle, and riding horses were his life-long passion. He was a graduate with the Friday Harbor class of 1961, and then served several years in the Air Force which started his love for the sky. Richard was often in the air flying whether it was in a fixed wing airplane or helicopter and was always willing to help a fellow islander that needed, or wanted, a ride. Richard lived his life to the fullest, traveling to Africa, Australia, Alaska and many other places around the world. Fishing, hunting, or riding horse in the pursuit of the great outdoors.

Richard Lawson was a well known businessman. Starting the Lawson Quarry and Lawson Construction in the early 1970’s, he supplied all the islands with gravel, concrete, and asphalt. His professional reputation followed him; he was a leader in his field. Among his many accomplishments was his last, the development of Lawson Ridge; it will serve as his lasting legacy to the island. Richard was a proud member of the community always willing to offer a helping hand, or donate to a good cause. His can-do attitude and charming smile will be sorely missed.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 1pm on Saturday February 6, at The Lestralaur Ranch in Friday Harbor WA. The ranch is located on San Juan Valley Rd. Please bring a dish to share and your best Richard story to tell.
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Kurt Daniel Johnson

April 16, 1959 ~ January 20, 2010

Kurt Daniel Johnson was born and raised in the community of Ballard in Seattle Washington. His love for the outdoors began with time spent at the family cabin on Lake Whatcom, Camp Orkila, cub scouting and family camping trips. He climbed Mount Rainier and hiked all over the Cascades and the Olympic Mountains.

His love of music began at an early age. He picked up his first guitar at 10 years old and became an accomplished guitar player playing and singing in local Seattle bands, APB, the Silverbacks, the Falcons, and most recently Vinyl Stage. His love of music was diverse ranging from Beethoven to Doobie Brothers to Ella Fitzgerald and of course, Rock ‘n Roll. He was an accomplished graphic artist and photographer. His photos from his climbs and camping trips are beautiful.

He fought a brave battle with his cancer for three years. He did not like to talk about it saying, “I’d rather spend every day living than dying” and he did that, hanging on to his independence to the very end. As tired as he was he walked to Hattie’s Hat for breakfast the Saturday before he left us. He endured without complaining and with a stoic sense of humor that is inspiring.

His friends helped him realize a dream in his last year arranging for him to ride a motorcycle with his friends on a road trip that was a highlight of his life. He sailed with a friend to Port Townsend and boated in the San Juan Islands with family.

Among other adventures, he journeyed up the inside passage to Alaska when he was 14 and commercial fished in his twenties. He jumped out of a plane and parachuted. He lived his life his own way. He was a loyal friend and very fond of his niece and nephews and was Uncle Kurt to many kids that he was close to.

He is preceded by his parents, John & Inge Johnson, two brothers, Paul &
Eric Johnson and his beloved Golden Retriever, Luther. He leaves behind his brother and sister in law Robert & Shauna Johnson of Ballard, Washington, his sister Ellen Johnson of Friday Harbor, Washington, his niece Lauren Johnson of Ballard, his nephew Jacob Johnson of San Diego, and his nephew John Daniel Johnson of Friday Harbor.

We love him and will miss him always. Kurt’s farewell party will be held at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard on Saturday February 20, 2010 from 6 pm on. Potluck and please bring any photos, memories, and memorabilia to share.

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