Archive for May 13th, 2009
Gordon Peak
Gordon F. Peak
October 19, 1922 – April 27, 2009
Gordon Peak
Gordon 
was born in Portland Oregon. His parents divorced when he was very young, and he grew up near Woodland Park in Seattle, where his mother owned and operated a beauty shop.
He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941, and soon after enjoyed a dangerous and adventurous job as a deck hand on boats that traveled the Alaska coast, supplyinig necessities to native villages.
In 1942 he joined the US Army Signal Corps, Alaska Communications System, assigned to the Alean Highway project. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
After WWII Gordon built and sold several homes in Seattle’s north end. Later he began a long career as a finish carpenter, well known for his fine work. He detailed offices in many of Seattle’s high rise office buildings, and was in-house carpenter for Frederick and Nelson, and later the Bon Marche for many years. His crowning glory was the elaborate wine cellar he constructed for prominent Seattle businessman, Thomas Gleed.
Gordon was well-known for his sense of humor, love of salmon fishing, no matter what the weather, and his readiness to give a helping hand wherever needed. He always fished with “Finnish Herring”, a nod to his half Finnish heritage.
He leaves his wife Marilynn, son, Randall (Patty) Peak, daughter Alana (Rick) Rich, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Gordon wants no services.
Craig Bruce Claar
Craig Bruce Claar (Huckleberry), age 60, passed away on April 24, 2009.
Craig Bruce Claar
He was born August 23, 1948 in San Diego, California. The son of George Claar and Maggie Quinby Claar, both deceased. Craig graduated from Felix High School in 1966. He lived his youth in San Diego and most of his adult life in Spokane, Washington.
He enlisted in the US Navy at eighteen and spent four years in Vietnam as a BT Boilerman, who was in charge of 100 other young men. After the Navy, he worked at Washington Water Power as a Steam Engineer for thirteen years. During his duration at WWP, he owned/operated Country Auto Rebuilders. Soon after WWP, Craig moved onto sales as a Snap-On Tools Dealer. Craig spent the last 15 years of his life as a General Contractor in Washington.
He was passionate about life, family & friends. Craig was known for his happy personality, honesty and integrity. Craig’s trademark was his Huckleberry handshake, and his motto when asked how he was,
“Happy, healthy, mean, rotten, ornery, and ugly.”
Craig was gifted with the creative ability to play music “by ear”, draw, build and create anything he wanted. Motorcycles were his life. He loved to ride, whether it was dirt or street, curvy or straight, coast to coast. Craig’s love of fast cars allowed him to appreciate the symphony of a well built and finely tuned engine.
Craig is survived by Janet, wife of twenty-five years, children, Jade Claar, Dawn Gregg, Kelly Claar and Jason Claar; eight grandchildren, his siblings, Connie Flagg, Judy Perez and Todd Claar.
Craig was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Paul Claar, 1988.
Craig will be interned, with full Military Honors, in the Spokane National Cemetery in June 2010, when the cemetery is completed.
