JOSEPH ALEXANDER STURGEON

1921 - 2011

Our beloved patriarch left us to walk with Jesus. In his 89 years, Joe touched many people, and we will miss him.

He was on born November 27, 1921, in Darrington, WA as the youngest of eight children, to Fred and Mary (Brown) Sturgeon, Sr.

Growing up in Oakland, California and after high school graduation, he returned to Darrington to farm, and met the love of his life. Joe married Beverly Ann Gruenberg on Valentine's Day in 1950 and together they had four children.

The family moved to Seattle in 1954 where Joe worked as an inspector for the Boeing Company for eleven years, traveling around the U.S. for them, as his specialized skills were needed.

In 1966, Joe moved the family to Anacortes and started his own company custom-building fiberglass boats and tanks. Always thinking up new ideas, Joe built his own 40-foot catamaran, patented a unique hydrofoil system, and was working on a design for a windmill-driven car when he left us.

Joe was a longtime member of the Anacortes Lutheran Church and the Gideon's.

He and Bev spent many years after his retirement traveling across the U.S. and Canada, spreading the word of God in their 1962 GMC Suburban, nicknamed "Old Betsy".

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; and three sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Dale (Linda); daughters, Diane, Kathleen Kerr (David), Kim Woolsey (Robert); seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Joe, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.