Gordon Kenneth Bartol

Gordon Kenneth Bartol, a longtime Edmond's District teacher and administrator, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2021 with his loving partner Penny Todd at his side. Through a short and devastating illness they promised one another they would not be separated and for this gift they will remain eternally grateful.

He was born in Spokane Wa., June 7, 1937 to Myrtle and William Bartol. His dad got a teaching job in Clarkston where two years later his brother Keith was born. At the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers and Lewis and Clark Trail, Clarkston was an idyllic place to grow up. Although Ken loved his life in Edmonds, he always went home for the "class of 55" reunions. He made friends easily and kept them, but those friendships made in childhood were pure gold and became even more precious in his later years.

He pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon at WSC where he met pretty Marcia Peterson who would become his wife and the mother of sons Craig and

Matthew. Ken completed his bachelor's degree at Eastern Washington University and accepted a teaching job in Edmonds. He and Marcia built a house in the Seaview neighborhood. Although the marriage did not last their

commitment to raising their sons did.

Ken's long teaching career was at the junior high level by choice. In those awkward years of angst and rebellion he always saw the potential in each student. He was firm but fair in his discipline and wise in his counseling.

Most of his nearly forty years of teaching was as a vice principal.

Ken loved the great outdoors where he fished, camped. hiked and mowed his grass year around. He was the neighbor who blew your leaves off your

driveway after he finished his own just to see you smile. At 83 he was still

climbing ladders to sweep the roof despite Penny's protests. In the summer

they were that "older couple" on the beach near the ferry dock with their

books and picnic dinner.

Ken was the greatest builder of campfires. Even in the pouring rain he could

coax an ember into a flame. It was an art that brought us together to warm our chill, toast a s'more, sing a song or just enjoy being with family and friends. Every time we smell a sweet waft of smoke from a campfire Ken will

be with us.

In the more than twenty years Ken and Penny had together they became avid world travelers. Ken loved Italy which was his heritage. They had an amazing trip to China, cruised the Panama Canal, explored the Baltic, Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas and were in the Beaujolais for the vendange with their Edmonds coffee group. They were left awestruck by

the beauty of Denali National Park and loved Yellowstone. They left their hearts in Venice on their last trip.

Ken always stopped to help a fellow traveler having difficulty with stairs or wheelchair. He was an extremely kind human being who always put other's

needs above his own. He was truly a person who made this world a better

place for everyone. He will be greatly missed and not soon forgotten.

He is survived by his son Craig Bartol, wife Dana and sons Zachary and Connor of Mequon. Wi. and son Matthew Bartol, wife Lara and daughters

Megan and Erin of Morgan, UT. He is survived by his brother Keith Bartol and wife Carolyn of Edmonds and their daughter Shelly Franz and Husband Bill of Mukilteo and their son Brad Bartol of Cashmere. He was treasured by Penny's children Stephanie, James, Matthew and Jennifer. He was loved by her grandchildren: Anna, Brandon, Tess, Riley and Cameron who all called him Grandpa Ken. His parents both came from large families who have remained close through the years with many cousins who have maintained

cherished relationships.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2021

at the Edmonds Yacht Club from 2PM- 4PM.

June 7, 1937 - January 13, 2021