June 13, 1932 – June 6, 2018
Husband, father, uncle, brother, engineer, sailor. Born in Port Townsend to Harvey and Phanoy Klasell, John was raised all around Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula. His grandparents, Nils A. and Johanna Klasell, were early residents of Port Townsend. His Uncles and Aunt (Oscar, Alvin, George, and Esther Klasell) made sure that he enjoyed an interesting and varied childhood as the son of their youngest brother. His maternal uncle, Herbert Crisler, photographer, cinematographer, and “Mountain Man of the Olympics” added to his distinctly Northwest upbringing.
John graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Civil Engineering and worked with WSDOT for 32 years. He was married to his wife, Bonnie C. Klasell (daughter of Bonnie and Whitey Gainer, early residents of Mats Mats Bay), for 64 years. Post WSDOT retirement, he worked as Consulting Engineer for the Tulalip Tribes. He had a great love of boats and sailing, rowed crew for the U.W., and was a member and past Commodore of Shilshole Bay Yacht club. John was an active member of St. John United Church for many years.
John is survived by his wife; children John C. (Bonnie J.), Shannon, and Peter (Ruby); sister Joanne Silvernale; sister-in-law Ellie Gainer; 4 nieces, 5 nephews, 4 granddaughters, and 2 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John United Lutheran to support their feeding program at www.stjohnunited.org, by phone: 206-784-1040, or at 5515 Phinney Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98103.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 16 at 1:30 pm at St. John United Lutheran Church, 5515 Phinney Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98103. Funeral arrangements are through Butterworth Arthur W. Wright, Seattle, WA, www.dignity
memorial.com funeral-homes seattle-wa/butterworth-funeral-home/9683.
