Bruce Anthony Van De Grift, 67, a former Mount Vernon and Skagit County resident passed away at his home in Seattle on Tuesday November 15, 2005, surrounded by his loving family.
Bruce was born in Tacoma, Washington on December 10, 1937, the son of Walter S. & Valerie Adams Van De Grift. He was raised and attended school near Packwood, WA until 1946 when the family moved to Birdsview, Washington. He attended grade school in Concrete until moving to Burlington where he attended Burlington High School and was active in school sports, particularly football and baseball. He graduated with the class of 1957.
After high school he served two years in the U.S. Army. Following his discharge he returned to Skagit County where he worked for his father’s business, W.S. Van De Grift, Inc., working in the logging industry. In 1965 he started his own logging and trucking company, B.A. Van De Grift, fulfilling logging and construction contracts.
Bruce was united in marriage to Barbara Nelson in Seattle on June 25, 2000 and they made their home in Seattle and in Montana.
Bruce was a diverse man with many interests. He enjoyed traveling in his motor home, trapshooting, golfing, snowmobiling, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
He has been a longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley and of St. Therese Catholic Church in Seattle.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Barbara in Seattle. His children, Jeff Van De Grift, Denise Yeager, Doug Van De Grift and Jennifer Van De Grift-Reichlin and her husband, Mark. 4 grandchildren, Emily Reichlin and Dylan, Derek and Devon Yeager. 2 brothers, Gene Van De Grift and Rod Van De Grift Maria, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Mark.
The family requests that memorials be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday November 19, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley, Father Paul Magnano, Celebrant. Interment will be at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery followed by a fellowship at the Parish Hall.
Services are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.