Pastor Gary Stuart Prisk died suddenly on May 29, 2006, near Trail, B.C., at the age of 59.

He was born May 28, 1947, in Sacramento, Calif. to Robert Henry and Beverly Henrietta (Hanson) Prisk.

Gary Prisk grew up and graduated from high school in Sacramento. He moved to Montana and was hired to work for the Forest Service. While there he completed a course in engineering. He left the forest service to attend Bible College in San Dimas, Calif.

He married Cheryl Leanne Piatt in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Aug. 24, 1971.

Following his ordination, Gary and Cheryl moved to Coupeville in 1974. They came by faith, with no financial support, and started Bible Baptist Church in a home in Coupeville, moving later to the Coupeville Recreation Hall.

In 1978, they purchased land on Highway 20 and built the first church building. That building, and several others added since, have been paid for as they were built through the tithes and offerings of the church. A Christian school ministry and Bible Institute have been a part of the church almost since its beginnings.

Pastor Prisk was senior pastor to his church. He put total trust in the Lord for his ministry. He began writing much of his own teaching materials for the church and developed training and mentoring programs for new pastors, providing pastor-to-pastor support. His four-year training program has grown over the years and is being used around the world. Gary was awarded his Doctorate of Theology from Great Plains Baptist College Divinity School in May of 1991.

Gary Prisk was a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He was a humble and faithful man, a man of great love and patience. He lived the virtues and gospel he preached, and God used him greatly to reach those without Christ in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

He is survived by his wife Cheryl, Oak Harbor; by four children and their spouses, Jason and Christina Prisk of Stockbridge, Ga., Luke and Jessie Prisk of Warner Robins, Ga., Nathan and Sara Prisk of Griffin, Ga. and Meleah and Scott Holloway of Montrose, B.C.; by his father Robert Prisk; two sisters, Laura Berhar and husband Paul, and Karen See, of Bend, Ore.; and nine grandchildren, Brandon, Chandler, Cameryn, Taryn, Caleigh and Carter Prisk, Elyssia Holloway, Judah and Abigail Prisk.

Memorials may be made to the Pastor Gary Prisk Memorial Fund, c/o Bible Baptist Church, 1701 Harns Road, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.