Gary L. Compton
Gary L. Compton, of Redmond, died on Sunday, September 9, 2012. He was 71 years old. Born in Sacramento, California, Gary was the son of Joseph Compton and Pearl Runyan. He attended California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, CA and received a BSEE in Electronic Engineering. It was there he met his beloved wife of 47 years, Anne Markhardt. Gary served his country honorably as a Lieutenant with the United States Navy and built a career as an Electronic Sales Engineer for Hewlett Packard and Agilent Technologies until his retirement in 1999. Gary was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Redmond and served as Assisting Minister on occasion. He was a man of strong faith and had a generous spirit, helping others at every turn. He also served as the Second Vice Commander for the American Legion Post 161 in Redmond. It was here that he developed a youth scholarship program in conjunction with the Old Fire House Teen Center, where he volunteered regularly. The program provides college scholarships for under-served youth in Redmond who are making a difference in the community. Additionally, Gary was a Master Mason and member of the Kirkland Masonic Lodge and a proud member of the Nile Shrine Temple. Gary was a devoted family man and enjoyed spending time with his wife, kids and especially his grandkids. He always had a Hot Wheel car for each of his grandkids every time they visited. Gary routinely put the needs of others in front of his own and touched the lives of all who met him and knew him. He was selfless, loved to laugh and joke, enjoyed Western movies, was a great chef and loved investigating genealogy. Through his research he was able to track his direct lineage back to the 1600’s. He is survived by his wife Anne, his son Steve and his wife Julie and grandsons Michael, Hunter and Daniel of Buckley, WA, his son Michael and his wife Kate and granddaughter Trinaty of Seattle, WA, his daughter Terri and her husband Brian and grandson Gavin and granddaughter Ellie of Bellevue, WA, and his brother Gregg Compton and his wife Barbi and nieces Joy and Melody of Santa Cruz, CA. A military funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St. Kent, WA 98042. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Faith Lutheran Church in Redmond, 9401 166th Ave. NE Redmond, WA 98052 followed immediately by a gathering of family and friends. Refreshments will be provided. The family suggests remembrances to the American Legion Post 161 for the Gary Compton Memorial Scholarship Program. Please contact Jim Broe, commander@post161.org. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at flintofts.com.
