Jerome Thomas "Jerry" Nunamaker

1936 - 2022

Jerry was born July 10th, 1936, in Conrad Montana. He was one of six siblings who later migrated to Bellingham Washington. He attended Western Washington University where he studied Civil Engineering and met his wife and traveling partner of 59 years of marriage until her passing in June of 2020.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Janet Copley Nunamaker; his father, Joseph Palmer Nunamaker and his mother, Sylvia Ann (Pauli) Nunamaker of Bellingham WA; Brothers: Joseph and Kenneth Nunamaker; Sisters: Marjorie (Nunamaker) Ellis-Miller and Jeanne (Nunamaker) Baglio and brother-in-law Robert Wilson Hatfield. Not to forget his influential uncles: Clint Nunamaker, Everett Nunamaker and Senator Homer Nunamaker.

He is survived in death by his identical twin brother, James Clarence Nunamaker (Linda); his son, Kevin Nunamaker (Deborah) and daughter, Kara Nunamaker Knaebel (Paul); Grandchildren: Tyler and Kassie Knaebel; brother-in-law, Dr. John Brian Copley and sister-in-law, Barbara Copley Hatfield; numerous cousins, many loving relatives, friends & neighbors in Bellingham, Marysville, Belfair, WA and Chandler, AZ.

Jerry served as Load Master in the US Air Force; 17th Aerial Port Squadron, Paine Field, WA from 1958 - 1964. He then served the State of Washington working for the Department of Transportation as a Civil Engineer for 30 years out of the Marysville/Everett Offices. Following retirement, he consulted on various highway projects.

He then decided to become a snowbird in 1993 and moved to the Sunbird community in Chandler, Arizona where he and his wife continued to spend their winters for 21 years. His favorite places to relax were to spend his winters at his home in Chandler, AZ and his summers at his little cedar beach home on Hood Canal, WA. where he passed peacefully after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

His favorite activities were golfing, fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, gardening, and traveling around the world. 

Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Providence Hospice, especially nurse Paul, assistants Jackie and Amanda. Our family would also like to thank our dear numerous relatives, friends and neighbors for all of their support.

A celebration of life will be held on August 13th at 2:00 pm at "the place he would most rather be". His home on the Canal.

July 10, 1936 - June 10, 2022