Gary Ellsworth Patrick passed away peacefully at his Maple Valley home on Oct. 23, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 8 1932, in Bellingham to Elsworth and Wilma Patrick, the second of nine children.

Gary was a talented athlete in football and track until his graduation from Bellingham High School, class of 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation. Gary became a paratrooper and a medic in the 82nd Airborne. After an honorable discharge in 1953, Gary returned to his beloved Bellingham where he began attending Western Washington State College on the GI Bill while also working as a commercial fisherman. He met a cute little waitress at Matt and Millies Cafe named Madeline McFadden and soon they were married on July 9, 1954.

Gary began his career as a sixth grade teacher in Oak Harbor and within two years became a principal. In 1968, Gary moved his family to Renton and took the job as principal at the newly constructed Fairwood Elementary in the Kent School District. In 1972, Gary became an assistant superintendent in Kent and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1986. Gary’s dedication to public education and the Kent School District was unwavering and admirable throughout his career.

Gary’s career in public service continued in his retirement when he was elected as a member of the city council in the fledgling city of Maple Valley 1997. Despite life-threatening illnesses, Gary was a calming and guiding influence in city government and was honored with a proclamation and a field named in his honor with his second retirement in the spring of 2003.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Elsworth Patrick and his sister Dolores Zwicker. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Madeline, who so lovingly cared for him through sickness and health. He was the proud and devoted father to three children; one daughter, Colleen Bleifuss and her husband Rick of Gold Bar. Two sons hail from Enumclaw; Brian Patrick with his wife Lori and Kyle Patrick with his wife Kim. Gary cherished his six grandchildren, showering them with love and affection: Natalie and Alyssa Belifuss, Colin and Nicholas Patrick and Kelly and McKenna Patrick.

Gary had the good fortune of a large and loving family. He is also survived by his Mother Wilma Patrick of Bellingham, and siblings Lolita Peterson (Quentin), Wilma Ann Johnson (Delbert), Leland Patrick (Erdyne), Patty Buss (Roger), Linda Grant (Russell), Robert Patrick (Sandy) and Michael Patrick (Pede), as well as numerous nieces and nephews most residing in Bellingham and surrounding Whatcom County. Gary’s persona and guiding friendship will be missed on the golf course, in classrooms, in board rooms, and amongst his family and friends forever.

Funeral Services for Gary Patrick will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th, Kent, WA 98032. In lieu of flowers, Gary had requested that donations be made to the Maple Valley Food Bank (425) 432-5442 or a food bank of your choice in his honor.