Gail Iverson, 59, was born July 5, 1948, to Annette and Willard Iverson, in Mount Vernon. He died suddenly May 16, 2008 as the result of a car accident.
Gail grew up in Mount Vernon, and was baptized at Fir Conway Lutheran Church and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1966, then attended Skagit Valley College.
After college he worked in the local area and fished in Alaska.
Gail married Cherie Locken in 1969 and enlisted in the Navy Reserves. Gail and Cherie started their family in Alameda, Calif., while Gail served on active duty from 1971 until 1973 (reserves until 1975). During his active duty he received a Navy Achievement Medal.
In 1973 Gail moved to Oak Harbor and started working for Allstate Insurance, which eventually became the family run Iverson Agency. In April, Gail celebrated his 35th year with Allstate Insurance. Gail always considered his customers his friends, many of whom had been with him from the beginning.
He also was a member of the Oak Harbor Elks Club and charter member of the Whidbey Island Nordic Lodge. He loved his Scandinavian heritage which he demonstrated by making Swedish pancakes, flat bread and rosettes for family and friends.
Gail is survived by his wife Cherie of Oak Harbor; son Matt (wife Heidi) of Coupeville; and daughters Kari Lee (husband Chip) of Bellingham and Mimi Johnson (husband Scott) of Coupeville.
Gail was a proud and devoted grandpa, who felt that “being a grandpa is the best job I’ve ever had.” He was rarely seen without at least one of his five grandchildren and was often heard telling them “grandpa loves you.” He will be tremendously missed by these little ones: Thora Iverson, Abigail and Emmy Lee, and Elliott and Stella Johnson.
He also is survived by his mother Annette and her husband Robert Minkler of Sedro-Woolley; brothers Gary Iverson (wife Barbara) of Portland, Ore., Jay Iverson (wife Jean) of Palouse, Mark Iverson of Mount Vernon, and stepsisters Chris Strand (husband Ron) of Woodinville, and Dorothy Lubey of San Diego, Calif. Gail was preceded in death by his father Willard Iverson.
Gail was known for his generosity, kind heart and good spirit and will be missed beyond measure by his family and friends. His wishes were to not have a traditional funeral, but to celebrate life and “remember the good times.”
In honor of this, friends are welcome to join his family in a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 22 on the hillside above his much-loved beach cabin on Camano Island. After crossing the bridge onto Camano Island take the first left onto Smith Road, and follow until you pass Sundin Beach Road. A white tent will be up ahead at the farmhouse on the left. (For information, call Hawthorne Cemetery, 360-424-1154.)
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation for the Wound Care Center.
