Michael Tasker

1948 - 2021

Michael Tasker
September 14, 1948 - May 6, 2021
Camano Island, Washington - Michael Kenneth Tasker, 72, of Bellingham, WA, passed away May 6, 2021, attended by his wife, son and daughter and the wonderful staff at Skagit Valley Hospital. He was born in Auburn, WA to Kenneth and Genevieve Tasker on September 14, 1948. Michael grew up in Auburn surrounded by a community of many close family and friends. In his youth, Michael also enjoyed spending time at the family ranch outside of Omak, WA. While attending grade school, Michael excelled as an athlete and following his standout high school career he played football for both Grays Harbor College and then Western Washington University (WWU). During this time he met many lifelong friends and his first wife Lynne Chamberlain of Walla Walla, WA.
Michael received a degree in Sociology from WWU and the young couple moved to Bowie, Maryland where he began his first career working for the FBI as a Special Agent for a decade at the Washington Field Office in Washington, DC. Most of his years as a Special Agent were spent doing undercover work on several high profile cases, the most notable being ABSCAM. During this time he also attended George Mason University's Law School and graduated Cum Laude in two years, rather than three. Michael and Lynne had two children,Gavin and CamE, while living in Maryland.
In the early 1980's Michael retired from the FBI and moved back to Bellingham where he established a successful law practice that operated for the next forty years. Michael met his wife, Stephanie, in Bellingham, WA in 1992 and would go on to spend 29 wonderful years with her. Together, over the decades, they learned that love and marriage is about patience, respect, friendship and laughter. Over the decades, they enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, Huskies and Seahawks football, the company of friends and family. After moving to Camano Island in 2016, they spent many hours each week enjoying the nature that surrounded them, laughing to hours of M*A*S*H and Andy Griffith, feeding the deer and birds, snuggling with their five cats, and dancing in the early evenings on their deck to Neil Young's "Harvest Moon". Together they, individually and as a couple, rediscovered their faith, were exploring it and making plans for Michael's retirement, reconnecting with family and friends across the country, spending quality time with their four beautiful grandchildren, and moving to Florida. Their final few years together were blessed in that they rediscovered their love for one another on a deep and profound level. Their final two years together were their happiest.
Michael took great pride in being there for his family, often making time to coach his children's little league, basketball and soccer teams – though he freely admitted he didn't know much about soccer. Over the years he never missed a youth sporting event and could always be found on the sidelines of every event supporting his kids. He enjoyed passing on his love of the outdoors as well. Annual trips with his family included camping and fishing in eastern WA, crabbing in Bellingham Bay, hunting, skiing at many western ski slopes and frequent trips to the Dawg House for HUSKY football.
Above all, Michael was known to all for his humor and quick wit, often picking opportune moments to bring smiles to the faces of everyone around him. He had a laugh that was unforgettable, his famous "Tasker grin" and was truly altruistic in the purest sense of the word.
Survivors include his wife, Stephanie Tasker, his daughter, CamE Tasker of Bellingham, WA; his son and daughter-in-law, Gavin and Heather Tasker of Bozeman, MT; his grandsons and granddaughters, Bryce, Henry, Emma and Megan Tasker of Bozeman, MT.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place on at 1pm on July 13th, 2021 at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Enumclaw, WA. A celebration of Michael's life will follow.