(Williamson),+Karen+Lee+Ross


 * Karen Lee (Williamson) Ross**

**1969:** I attended Skagit Valley College for 2 years. I graduated from Western Washington State College in the spring of 1964. I taught Physical Education for 4 years at Sequim High School on the Olympic Penn. I married Gary Ross June 16, 1967. Gave birth to a son Douglas Jay on Nov. 2, 1968. We are now residing in Port Angeles, Wash., where Gary is serving with the U.S. Coast Guard.
 * 1979:** Aloha to the Class of 59. The Ross family--Karen, Gary, Doug age 10, and Don age 7--are presently stationed on the island of Oahu, where Gary is serving as an Aviation Maintenance Warrant Officer with the USCG at Barbers Point Air Station. Karen is enjoying the fantastic weather and is devoting a great deal of time to improving her golf game. She has high hopes of breaking 100 and hopes this occurs before reunion time. Gary has about five years remaining before eligibility for retirement and seeking new employment. We have had the opportunity to live in a number of interesting places in the past ten years. From the Northwest we went to Mobile, Alabama, where son Don was born. The next stop was Phoenix, where Gary attended Electronics School for two full years while a Chief Petty Officer. During this time Karen resumed some past occupational endeavors. She substitute taught PE in Paradise Valley as well as officiated girls' high school varsity basketball for the Southern Region of the state. Upon Gary's completion of his Associate Degree the Coast Guard decided they needed him in New York City. So off went the scared farmers to the Big Apple. The family chose living on Governor Island off the tip of Manhatten, just a spit and a holler from the Statue of Liberty. Gary was required to take a ferry into Manhatten and drive 18 miles daily to Brooklyn Air Station. It was this thrill-provoking, twice daily journey, accompanied by drivers' gestures, that encouraged him to study for his Warrants exam as a means to early transfer. Only one person did better than he! Governor Island provided Karen with a ready source of sports activities. Karen's bowling team took 2nd place, as did her women's volleyball team. In addition, Karen taught elementary PE every morning as a volunteer while being paid to referee some less than welcoming USCG intramural men's basketball games. She also coached her son's T-ball team. As a result of Karen's work with the Island elementary school she was awarded the Community Service Award by the US Coast Guard Base Commanding Officer. While in New York the family was able to take in a few games at Yankee Stadium and some interesting events at Madison Square Garden, plus managed to ride subways and to survive the Big City without being mugged. Our year there will remain a high point in our memories. Gary did receive his appointment to W-2 and an immediate transfer to Barbers Point, Hawaii. We are looking ahead to Gary's retirement at 20 years and at present plan to locate on the Olympic Penn. Have a happy reunion. Hope to see you all next time.

Karen Lee Ross was born October 5, 1941 in Mount Vernon, Washington, the daughter of Earle and Doris (Scholes) Williamson and passed away December 11, 2006 at Coos Bay, Oregon.
 * obituary (Skagit Valley Herald)**

She had been raised and educated in Mount Vernon and had attended Skagit Community College and Western Washington in Bellingham. She married Gary N. Ross on June 17, 1967 in Mount Vernon. She taught physical education at Sequim High School. Her husband Gary served in the Coast Guard until retiring.

Karen enjoyed golf, camping, and the out of doors.

She is survived by her husband, Gary N. Ross of Coos Bay; son and wife, Douglas J. and Carrie Ross of North Bend; son, Donald Ray Ross of Coos Bay; brother and wife, Richard and Sally Williamson of Mercer Island, WA; sister and husband, Joanne and Tom Valentine of Burlington, WA; one granddaughter, Kalista Ross of North Bend. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and a brother Dave Williamson.