BRIAN YOUNGQUIST

February 8, 1951 -
September 4, 2017

Brian Merle Youngquist, 66, a lifelong resident of Skagit Valley, passed away Monday evening, September 4, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, on February 8, 1951, to Merle and Louise Youngquist, the second of three children.

During his school years he was an active member of Sea Scouts, which led to an enduring love of boating and the water. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1969. He had a keen interest in photography and developed quite a talent for it. During high school, he was the photographer for the school newspaper and the yearbook.

After a brief stint at Skagit Valley College, he went to work at Truck City, where he fueled and serviced commercial vehicles. On February 12, 1972, at Salem Lutheran Church, he married his high school sweetheart, Christy Peterson. In 1974 their family was complete when their daughter Carrie was born.

Brian worked for many years at Northern Freight Lines, a family trucking business established by his grandfather Emil Youngquist. While at Northern Freight Lines, he and his brother Brad began a new venture, spreading agricultural limestone on the fields of western Washington, which culminated in the establishment of Northern Lime Co. in 1986. Brian served as the President of this corporation through 2002.

In 2004 Brian's career took an abrupt turn when he purchased RE/MAX Realty Associates in Anacortes. He sold the business in late 2007, but remained as Managing Broker until 2014. Most recently, he worked at RE/MAX Valley Homes in Mount Vernon.
The family treasured their two trawler-style boats, Bountiful and Encore, and made many fond memories gunkholing in the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands.

During their marriage, Brian and Christy took several Caribbean cruises and trips to Hawaii. They also visited Belize five times, and seriously considered relocating there.

Brian served the McLean Road Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for 15 years. He was an active member of the Anacortes Kiwanis Sunrisers and a devoted supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County. He was also a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon.

Brian is survived by his wife Christy; daughter Carrie (Craig) Cammock; cherished grandson Olaus Cammock; sister Sandy (Gary) Stewart; brother Brad (Robin); sister-in-law Cathy Peterson; brother-in-law Rod (Stacy) Peterson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Merle and Louise; two uncles, Don and Marvin; and his nephew, Brandon.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jafari, Veronica, and the infusion room nurses at the Cancer Care Center at Skagit Valley Hospital for taking exceptional care of Brian during his illness.

Memorials are suggested to Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County, P.O. Box 947, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273; or to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 777, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273.

A celebration of life is planned for Thursday, October 5, 2017, 1:00 PM at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2015 E. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98274.

Brian was a devoted husband, proud father, and smitten "Papa." We will miss him and everything about him most notably his unfailing optimism, can-do attitude, wry sense of humor, and famed alder-smoked barbequed salmon and buttermilk pancakes.

Family and friends may offer Brian's family their condolences online at www.kernfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.