Stan Sather

Stanley Allen Sather, Jr., A resident of Fox Island, passed away February 28, 2012. He was born in Tacoma on October 8, 1947, and was 64 years of age. He had been a lifelong resident of the Tacoma/Gig Harbor area. Stan graduated from Peninsula High School in 1965. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1966 where he served two years, including a year of combat duty in VietNam. He was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Stan also received a USMC Commendation after saving the life of a Vietnamese civilian. He was Honorably Discharged from the service in 1968. After returning home, Stan attended Western Washington University, Bellingham, where he was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1973. At age 13, Stan began working for his father at Sather Fuel Oil in Tacoma. In later years he was employed by Department of Social and Health Services, Talmo Trucking of Gig Harbor, and Oxygen Sales and Service in Bremerton. He had been an employee of Aim Aerospace (formerly Precision Pattern) since 1987, where he was employed as the manager of the Tacoma pattern shop. Stan was a skilled craftsman and artisan, and lifelong builder of wooden boats. In the months before his death, Stan completed his final boat, a Haven 12-1/2 foot sailboat which was 24 years in the making. He was avidly interested in engineering, the natural sciences, automobiles, golf, astronomy, art, and music. Stan also possessed a great sense of humor and instigated numerous practical jokes with family and friends. Despite his failing health, Stan steadily maintained a kind and gentle outlook throughout his life. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Nancy Jo Nelson of Fox Island, daughter Deardra Sather (Steve White), granddaughter Riley McPherren, and sister Barbara (Larry) Brooks, all of Tacoma, and sister Florence (Bernd) Walter of Ann Arbor, Michigan, in addition to numerous extended family. Family members who predeceased him include his parents, Stanley Sr., and Mary (Smith) Sather, brother Chris Sather, and nephew Derek Sather. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church, 7400 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor. Arrangements by Haven of Rest. Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tribnet/obituary.aspx?n=stanley-allen-sather&pid=156439362#storylink=cpy