Gale Stewart McClurken

January 14, 1936 - August 23, 2014

Gale Stewart McClurken, "Mac" to his friends and Stewart to his family, was born to Elsie and Alfred on Jan 14, 1936. He married Alice Krueger of Yakima in 1988. Last year they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Mac graduated from Kent-Meridian HS in 1954. He joined the Army, 3rd infantry, in Fort Meyer, Virginia serving 2 years in the Presidential Honor Guard unit followed by 3 years in the reserve on the rifle team. After moving back to the Northwest, he sold building materials, and then boats. He attended Washington Technical School and earned a 2 year degree in electronics in 1977. From 1977 until retiring in 1998 he worked at Sears as a TV and appliance repair technician. After retirement he worked at Safeco Field from 2000 to 2010 for Mariner games.

He had a soft spot for kids and the neighbor kids thought of him as a "grandpa". He enjoyed his cat's company, especially when she would curl up in his chair when he was reading or watching TV. He also liked watching the blue jays and humming birds and other small birds in his back yard.

Playing golf and baseball were some of his favorite activities. His favorite teams to watch were the Mariners and the Seahawks. He looked forward to vacationing in places like Sun River and the Oregon Coast.

Mac died peacefully at home August 23, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles and grandson Brian. He is survived by his wife Alice, daughter Mary Connaughton of Maryland, son Don Heiden of Florida, sister-in-law Kay of Sequim, half- brother John, West Virginia, half-sister Becky, and step sister Frances McFarland both of Washington, nephews Shaun and Patrick, niece Shannon and six grandchildren.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 2pm at Gold Creek Community Church, 4326 148th Street SE, Mill Creek, WA.

Memorial

Safely Home

I am home in heaven, dear ones. Oh, so happy and so bright! There is a perfect joy and beauty In the everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in heaven at last. There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand, Do it now, while life remaineth . . .You shall rest in God's own land. When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting Oh, the joy to see you come!

Author Unknown

The chain

We little knew that morning God was to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone. For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.