STEPHEN BEALS ’56 CC died Dec. 12, 2019, at the age of 85. After graduating from Cascade College, Stephen served as a Nazarene minister, serving in Oregon and Alaska. He is survived by his wife, CAROLE ERICKSON BEALS ’55.
DAVID BOWERS ’66 died March 12, 2020, at the age of 83. A longtime resident of Everett, Washington, David was born at Fort Casey. He graduated from Coupeville High School in 1955. David served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, then attended Pacific Lutheran University and Seattle Pacific for a teacher’s certificate. He earned a master’s degree from Seattle University. David was a teacher and administrator in the Northshore School District, retiring in 1993 after 30 years. He was also an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling. Preceded in death by two wives and a sister, David is survived by three sisters and several nieces and nephews.
RAYMOND “MIKE” BREN ’68 died Feb. 20, 2020, at the age of 73. Born in Sunnyside and raised in Grandview, Washington, Mike attended Seattle Pacific College, where he met CAROLYN MARTINSON ’68. They were married after their junior year. Mike and his family moved back to Grandview in 1975, where Mike joined his father at the New York Life Insurance Company. Active in the community, Mike was elected to the Grandview School Board in the late 1970s. In 1984, he took office on the city council. He was Port of Grandview commissioner, and, from 1998 to 2006, Mike served as Grandview’s mayor. Mike was a member of the Bethany Community Church for more than 40 years, where he served on Session, was a Bible study leader, Sunday school teacher, and was active in the men’s Bible study. Mike is survived by Carolyn, his wife of more than 53 years, three children, four grandchildren, his brother, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
JOHN CARLSON ’59 died April 2, 20202, at the age of 85. In addition to attending Seattle Pacific College, John also attended North Park College, and the University of South Dakota. He taught in Florence and Kingsford (Michigan) high schools, also serving as the Kingsford High School assistant principal. An active member of Aurora Free Church, John was also a member of Gideons International for 50 years and served on the board of WRVM Christian radio for 40 years. John operated a family farm and enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in the woods, and traveling. Preceded in death by Audrey, his wife of 52 years, John is survived by his second wife, Pat, three sons, a daughter, 17 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, two brothers, and two sisters.
HAROLD “CLIFF” COLLINS ’54 died May 9, 2020, at the age of 87. Born and raised in the sawmill town of Somers, Montana, Cliff was active in music ministry at Seattle Pacific College, as well as at the University of Montana, which he attended for a year. He joined the U.S. Army after graduation, serving in Germany for two years and was a section leader of the company drum and bugle corps. He returned to Seattle to work for Shell Oil, and did recruiting and fundraising for Seattle Pacific College. Cliff later taught music as a public school teacher. He returned to the Flathead Valley to work as a fifth-grade teacher at Peterson School in Kalispell, Montana, until his retirement in 1994. Cliff had a passion for teaching and received the, “My Favorite Teacher Award” for the state of Montana. Cliff also served two terms on the Kalispell City Council and was instrumental in helping the Historical Society secure the old Central School Museum. As president of the Historical Society, he, and his wife, LYNDA WALLS COLLINS ’64, volunteered by raising funds, organizing exhibits, planning activities, and helping with facility maintenance. The Northwest Montana History Museum named him a lifelong senior advisory director. Cliff sang in church choirs, played trumpet in the Flathead County Community Band, and served on the board of the Glacier Symphony. Cliff also served several terms on the state executive board for the Republican Party. Cliff was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. Cliff is survived by his wife, Lynda, daughter SHELLEY COLLINS ’94; a grandson; a sister, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Royal Edwards ’54 died March 13, 2020, at the age of 91. Born and raised in Southern California, Royal studied mechanical engineering at Riverside and Pasadena college. While serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he decided to dedicate his life to the ministry. He and his wife, Vivien, moved to Seattle where he earned a degree in biblical literature from Seattle Pacific. He then attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. He pastored numerous churches throughout Southern California and Arizona over the next 33 years before retiring to Mountain Ranch, and then ultimately settling in Copperopolis, California. Royal enjoyed traveling and evangelizing, and he held services at churches throughout the U.S. and Canada. He and his wife visited Europe, Israel, China, and served in Mexico. He taught Greek at Azusa Pacific College and later at Edwards Air Force Base. Royal loved to sing, and he was an avid runner for many years. Preceded in death by his wife, Royal is survived by four daughters, 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a brother and sister, and many nieces and nephews.
DONALD “DON” FRENCH ’69 died March 25, 2020, at the age of 92. Born in Nebraska and raised in Iowa and Oregon, Don graduated from high school in Oregon in 1946. He attended Seattle Pacific College and Los Angeles Pacific College. He played baseball and basketball in high school and college. He and his young family moved to Kent, Washington, where he worked at Boeing. He met and married Darlene Rodeen in 1964. In 1965, he returned to SPC to fulfill his lifelong dream of teaching. He taught fifth grade in Enumclaw and Southwood. He also coached football, basketball, and baseball. He enjoyed fishing trips, singing in a men’s quartet, and serving at his church, Enumclaw Nazarene Church. After retiring in 1992, he and Darleen traveled overseas, where he taught English at Japan Christian Junior College. Don is survived by his wife, Darlene, three daughters and a son, 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, a sister, and many nieces and nephews.
DOUGLAS GWINN ’79 died May 14, 2020, at the age of 64. Born in Pasadena, California, and raised at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center near Santa Cruz, Doug served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1987 and was stationed as an officer in South Korea. He worked in the accounting office of the Los Angeles Community College District from 2001 until his death. A great-nephew of the late WELLS GWINN ’47, for whom Gwinn Commons was named, Douglas was a long-time member of Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California. He is survived by his wife, Erlinda, a brother, two sisters including Melissa Gwinn Assink ’76, cousins including JIM GWINN ’63 and CINDY GWINN CLAPPER ’74, nephew JONATHAN ASSINK ’05, and other extended family members.
CHARLES “CHUCK” HUNTER ’50 died Feb. 18, 2018, at the age of 93. Born in Seattle, Chuck attended Franklin High School before joining the U.S. Navy to serve in World War II. When he returned, he attended Seattle Pacific College, earning a degree in zoology. Prior to serving in the Korean War, he married Pauline Rosene in 1952. Chuck spent more than 30 years serving in the Department of Fisheries, often working in Alaska. In 1955, Chuck and his wife built a home in Bellevue, Washington, where they lived for 52 years. Charter members of Newport Covenant Church, they served for years in Covenant Missions in Alaska and in Christian camping programs, as well as volunteering with Young Life. After 80 years in the Puget Sound region, Chuck moved to a small farm in Spokane, where he spent his remaining 13 years. After the passing of his wife of 54 years, Chuck remarried Jane Nelson. They were members of Foothills Community Church. Chuck is survived by his wife, Jane, daughter KIM HUNTER BOWSER ’79, a son, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
CHRISTINE SPOORS LEE ’91 died Feb. 17, 2020, at the age of 50. Born and raised in Minnesota, Christine was a candy striper in high school. After raising three children and working as a nursing assistant, she attained her dream of becoming a registered nurse, serving at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, where she was a favorite with her patients. Christine is survived by two daughters, a son, granddaughter, her mother, a sister, and more extended family members.
STEVEN LOCKARD ’68 died April 18, 2020, at the age of 73. Born in Lynwood, Washington, to FRISBY LOCKARD ’35 and Helen Lockard, Steven joined the U.S. Army after graduating from SPC. He served from 1969 to 1971, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. After his discharge, he earned his secondary teaching credential from Long Beach State University. Steven taught history at Yucaipa High School in California until retirement 35 years later. A gifted and committed teacher, Steven was known for enthusiastic lectures peppered with vivid stories and a trove of historical documents and artifacts that he kept in a cabinet in his classroom. Steven often served in leadership positions at church and taught adult Sunday school classes for over 20 years. Steven is survived by Kandy, his wife of nearly 52 years, daughter and a son, five grandchildren, and his brother, WES LOCKARD ’78.
CLAIRE “MIMI” MCLAUGHLIN ’84 died Feb. 4, 2020, at the age of 80. Raised in Cheney, Washington, Mimi was a longtime resident of Woodinville, Washington. She graduated from Whitman College in 1961 with a BA in physical education and a K-12 teaching certificate. She completed a fifth-year education certificate at SPU in 1984. Mimi taught PE at Whitman Jr. High and in the Northshore schools from 1981 to 1992. She also worked at Northshore Senior Center as a social services/volunteer coordinator and facilities manager from 1988 to 2006. Active in the community, Mimi served as PTA president at Cottage Lake and Bothell High, on the Northshore Recreation Council from 1968 to 1987, in leadership roles at Camp Casey, and Camp Fire and Red Cross swim. She was a lifeguard, first aid, and CPR instructor. She chaperoned for Northshore Ski School for 16 years, and skied until 2017. Mimi received many awards for her years of community and school service and was inducted into the Northshore Wall of Honor 2019. Mimi enjoyed sports, gardening, the arts, and reading. She regularly attended high school football and basketball games, gymnastics meets, music performances, and state solo and ensemble events. Mimi had endless energy and was always willing to help. Preceded in death by her husband, Denny, Mimi is survived by her sister, three sons, a daughter, and 10 grandchildren.
MARION WINTER O’DONNELL ’56 died July 4, 2020, at the age of 82. Born in Vancouver, Washington, and raised on a farm in Brush Prairie, Washington, Marion was 4 years old when she accepted Christ as her savior. She attended Vancouver Church for 40 years, singing in the choir and in the singing Christmas tree. After college, Marion moved to Vancouver and raised three daughters. She was a teacher’s aide for many years in the Vancouver School District. She was a gracious hostess and everyone was welcome in her home. In 1996, she married Jack O’Donnell, her high school sweetheart. Marion is survived by her husband, brother, three daughters, two step-sons, five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
LAWRENCE “LAURIE”/“LARRY” PETERSON ’53 died Jan. 22, 2020, at the age of 89. Raised in Seattle, Larry played football, basketball, and baseball for Ballard High School. At Seattle Pacific College, he played on the basketball and baseball teams, and majored in education. He met SHIRLEY EDWARDS ’54, and they married in March 1956. Beginning in 1955, Larry taught math and physics at Bothell High School, where he also coached the basketball team. While coaching at BHS, he took BHS teams to the state tournament eight times during an 11-year period. In 1968, he was named Washington State Teacher of the Year. He became BHS vice-principal in 1971, principal in 1974, and retired in 1984. Larry was inducted into BHS’s Hall of Fame and Northshore School District’s Wall of Honor. With help from friends and family, Larry built the family’s longtime Bothell residence where he and Shirley lived for 62 years and raised five children. After retiring, Larry built a log cabin with his children, tended to his vegetable garden and raspberry vines, and spent time with his family. Larry was an educator at heart — in the classroom, on the basketball court, in the garage, or around the dining room table at homework time. A life-long learner and athlete, Larry learned the Russian language in his 60s and picked up the game of pickleball in his early 80s. Larry is survived by his wife, Shirley, two sons, three daughters, 16 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother.
EDWARD WALLACE ’61 died May 4, 2020, at the age of 87. Edward was born in Decatur, Illinois and served as a Nazarene minister for 60 years. He graduated from Seattle Pacific College with a degree in theology and joined the U.S. Navy in 1952, serving on the USS Belle Grove during the Korean War. He wore an atomic veteran’s baseball cap, denoting him as a veteran who was exposed to nuclear weapons tests between 1945 and 1992. He married his wife Marjorie in 1954, and they were married for 66 years. They served together in churches in Seattle and Port Angeles, Washington; Popular Bluff, Missouri; and Lebanon, Oregon, where he retired after pastoring the Lebanon Church of the Nazarene for 22 years. A history buff, Ed enjoyed reading, fishing, and spending summers on the lake with his family. He also loved singing old hymns, including “The Lighthouse,” one of his favorites. Ed is survived by his wife, Margie, five children, five great-grandchildren, his sister, and many nieces and nephews.
