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Gary Kruger Obituary
Gary Leonard Kruger
July 22, 1941 - June 14, 2025
Sedro-Woolley, Washington - Gary L. Kruger, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA, with his family by his side.
Born on July 22, 1941, in Burlington, WA, Gary was the son of Leonard and Elsie Kruger and grew up with his older sister, Karene. He spent his early years in Anacortes before the family moved to Packwood, where he graduated from White Pass High School in 1959. Gary continued his education at Centralia Junior College and Skagit Valley College, later transferring to Western Washington State College in Bellingham, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1963.
While at Western, Gary met the love of his life, Judy Willison. They were married on August 31, 1963, in Bellingham and would have celebrated 62 wonderful years together this August. Just three days after their wedding, Gary began his teaching career at Big Lake Elementary School. There, he taught multiple grade levels-primarily sixth grade-and eventually served as head teacher. Over his 26-year teaching career, Gary became a respected and beloved educator. In the early 1990s, he transitioned into administration with the Sedro-Woolley School District, overseeing transportation, maintenance, and custodial services. He later served as the district's Capital Projects Director until his retirement in 2003.
Gary's passions often intertwined with his professional and family life. A lifelong fisherman, he began running the charter boat Sierra out of Neah Bay in 1968, followed by the Bon Homme Richard. In 1971, he commissioned the Judy K, and in 1977, he had a 42-foot boat-the Sundance-built. He operated fishing charters out of Westport for many years, captaining The Sundance himself while hiring a skipper to run the Judy K. During this time the family maintained a second home in Westport, which became a cherished place for making memories together.
In addition to his love for saltwater fishing, Gary found joy in river fishing, crabbing, hunting, and sockeye fishing at Baker Lake. Later in life some of his favorite moments were spent at their Birch Bay home with Judy, family, and friends.
Above all, Gary's greatest joy was time spent with his family. He cherished taking his sons on adventures and took great pride in supporting their goals and dreams. He also enjoyed traveling with Judy, family, and friends. This included international travel with son Bob, daughter-in-law Heidi, and sister-in-law Glenda. In retirement, Gary and Judy, along with lifelong friends Errol and Delores Collins, enjoyed many adventures, including a six-week boating trip through Southeast Alaska, exploring the Southwest, and visiting Hawaii. He also loved walking and hiking, especially around his hometown of Sedro-Woolley. Most recently, he visited his granddaughter Jessie in Tucson and spent treasured time with his wife, son Mike, and family in Maui.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Kruger of Sedro-Woolley; his sons, Mike Kruger (Lisa Watt Banks), their children Jessie Kruger and Maile Banks of Tacoma (and the late Lucas Banks), Bob Kruger (Heidi Hohmann) of Seattle; his sister-in-law, Glenda Willison; his sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Larry McFeron, their children Laurie (Keith) Hazen, Michelle (Tomm) Lemon, and Bethann (Eric) Flack. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Connie (Ray) Wickert, Nancy (Dave) McLaughlin, and Rick (Debbie) Mumford.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Elsie Kruger; sister and brother-in-law, Karene and Jim Mumford.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Central United Methodist Church in Sedro-Woolley, officiated by Pastor Dan Gerhard and Pastor Wilma Reyes. A luncheon reception will follow.
A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Burlington Greenhill's Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
You are invited to share memories of Gary and sign the online guestbook at: www.lemleychapel.com.
July 22, 1941 - June 14, 2025
Sedro-Woolley, Washington - Gary L. Kruger, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA, with his family by his side.
Born on July 22, 1941, in Burlington, WA, Gary was the son of Leonard and Elsie Kruger and grew up with his older sister, Karene. He spent his early years in Anacortes before the family moved to Packwood, where he graduated from White Pass High School in 1959. Gary continued his education at Centralia Junior College and Skagit Valley College, later transferring to Western Washington State College in Bellingham, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1963.
While at Western, Gary met the love of his life, Judy Willison. They were married on August 31, 1963, in Bellingham and would have celebrated 62 wonderful years together this August. Just three days after their wedding, Gary began his teaching career at Big Lake Elementary School. There, he taught multiple grade levels-primarily sixth grade-and eventually served as head teacher. Over his 26-year teaching career, Gary became a respected and beloved educator. In the early 1990s, he transitioned into administration with the Sedro-Woolley School District, overseeing transportation, maintenance, and custodial services. He later served as the district's Capital Projects Director until his retirement in 2003.
Gary's passions often intertwined with his professional and family life. A lifelong fisherman, he began running the charter boat Sierra out of Neah Bay in 1968, followed by the Bon Homme Richard. In 1971, he commissioned the Judy K, and in 1977, he had a 42-foot boat-the Sundance-built. He operated fishing charters out of Westport for many years, captaining The Sundance himself while hiring a skipper to run the Judy K. During this time the family maintained a second home in Westport, which became a cherished place for making memories together.
In addition to his love for saltwater fishing, Gary found joy in river fishing, crabbing, hunting, and sockeye fishing at Baker Lake. Later in life some of his favorite moments were spent at their Birch Bay home with Judy, family, and friends.
Above all, Gary's greatest joy was time spent with his family. He cherished taking his sons on adventures and took great pride in supporting their goals and dreams. He also enjoyed traveling with Judy, family, and friends. This included international travel with son Bob, daughter-in-law Heidi, and sister-in-law Glenda. In retirement, Gary and Judy, along with lifelong friends Errol and Delores Collins, enjoyed many adventures, including a six-week boating trip through Southeast Alaska, exploring the Southwest, and visiting Hawaii. He also loved walking and hiking, especially around his hometown of Sedro-Woolley. Most recently, he visited his granddaughter Jessie in Tucson and spent treasured time with his wife, son Mike, and family in Maui.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Kruger of Sedro-Woolley; his sons, Mike Kruger (Lisa Watt Banks), their children Jessie Kruger and Maile Banks of Tacoma (and the late Lucas Banks), Bob Kruger (Heidi Hohmann) of Seattle; his sister-in-law, Glenda Willison; his sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Larry McFeron, their children Laurie (Keith) Hazen, Michelle (Tomm) Lemon, and Bethann (Eric) Flack. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Connie (Ray) Wickert, Nancy (Dave) McLaughlin, and Rick (Debbie) Mumford.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Elsie Kruger; sister and brother-in-law, Karene and Jim Mumford.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Central United Methodist Church in Sedro-Woolley, officiated by Pastor Dan Gerhard and Pastor Wilma Reyes. A luncheon reception will follow.
A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Burlington Greenhill's Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
You are invited to share memories of Gary and sign the online guestbook at: www.lemleychapel.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Bellingham Herald from Jul. 21 to Jul. 26, 2025.
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