Peter Fred Harksell Sr. passed away March 21st, 2015 from complications following a brain hemorrhage he suffered on February 14th.
Born January 28, 1936, Pete was a lifetime resident of Ferndale, growing up on the family farm on Harksell Rd. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1954 and married Kathleen Brown in July of 1955. They made their home on Portal Way. He was a true family man and enjoyed his children and grandchildren.
Pete worked in the automotive service industry, retiring in 1992 after owning Pete’s Exxon for 23 years. He was an active member of the Automotive Service Association starting when it was ASC.
He was a lifetime member and an active participant at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ferndale. He was very civic minded and active in the community through Boy Scouts, Jaycees, Jet Oldsters, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Whatcom County Old Settlers, Ferndale City Council and the Ferndale City Planning Committee. He was a member of Washington Good Roads Association and had been appointed to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
He was the first recipient of the Thomas George Man of the Year award. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Carrie (Janitscheck) Harksell. He is survived by his wife of 60 years,Kathleen, and their five children: Peter Jr. (Nita) Harksell, Marie Andrews (John) both of Ferndale; Dwayne Harksell, Arizona; Scott (Amy) Harksell, Lynden; Michael (Susan) Harksell, Arizona.
He is further survived by Karl Hepler, Ferndale, thought of as a son; former daughter-in-law Kim, Bellingham; six grandchildren: Peter III (Shelby) Harksell, California; Robbie (Corey) Andrews, California; Christopher Andrews, New York; Shannon Andrews (fiancé Parker Mathews), Bellingham; Eric Harksell, Bellingham; Chloe Harksell, Lynden; a special cousin Joan Boettcher; and many other cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends.
Services were held Wednesday April 1, 2015 at 10:30am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ferndale. Viewing was Tuesday March 31st, 5:pm- 7:pm at Moles Funeral Home in Ferndale.
In memory of Pete donations may be made to the Ferndale Senior Center or Whatcom Hospice House.