Gary David Walt

Gary Walt, a beautiful soul, left this earth to be with Jesus on March 19, 2026. He left years of treasured memories as a wonderful husband to Marilyn, the most loving and extraordinary father to Laura and Sherry, and he loved his sons in law, Lamont and Larry, like his own children. He was the Papa who always “saw something out of the corner of his eye” to share with his grandchildren Cole (Kaitlyn), Mitchel (Cassidy), Nick (Daria), Dylan (Sam), and Stefani (Chris). He would have loved being a great-grand Papa to Mila, Zoey, Rhett, and Josie.

He also leaves behind his brother’s family Estelle, Teresa (Scott), and Terry (Patti), several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Gary was preceded in death by his brother Dick (wife Estelle), his nephew Rick Walt, his mother Josephine Murphy and his father Dave Walt. Gary’s whole world was his wife and the love of his life, Marilyn.

Gary’s favorite childhood memory was boating over to Langley on Whidbey Island, and time spent on the beach. After Gary and Marilyn were married, they continued visiting and bringing their young children to Langley. As the family grew, children, grandchildren, and friends were invited to spend the week at their Langley rental. It was a time that brought much joy to Gary. In his honor, a memorial picnic table has been installed at Seawall Park which runs parallel to Main Street in Langley. Please visit it and share a memory or two, he’s listening.

Gary’s younger years were spent in Pinehurst and North Everett. He loved rope swinging over Pigeon Creek. His legacy of hard work began at age 12, shining shoes on Colby Avenue. During his high school years, you could find him with his friends cruising Colby in his treasured black 1939 four door Chevrolet and working on cars.

Gary loved his country and proudly served 4 years in the U.S. Navy with his best friend Tony Goetz. They have had a loving, lifelong friendship. They were stationed on the USS Piedmont, a destroyer tender. From that ship Gary sent Marilyn a Christmas card, and a 64-year romance began.

He became a journeyman meat cutter, and finally a compositor (printer) for The Everett Herald where he was employed for 36 years. He was also the one who made sure you all had coffee!

Gary was an avid fisherman. He spent his spare time on the rivers of Snohomish County with his friend John Hinchcliff. Gary and Marilyn also fished in Alaska for 25 years. It was on the Kenai River, with his lifelong friends Jim and Tony Playle at the helm, that he landed a 67-pound king salmon (…but mine was bigger, Hon!).

He loved building, and he built an A-frame cabin on Lopez Island. Later they built another getaway on the Skykomish River. They had their dream house built in Marysville, so they could be close to their grandchildren. Finally, they landed in Sun City West, Arizona for the winter months, soaking up the sun playing golf, pickle ball and enjoying dinners outside with friends. Gary loved this home away from home.

Gary died from Primary Progressive Aphasia with Apraxia. But that big smile and twinkle in his eyes never left him and warmed the hearts of Don and Lanell San Pedro, his caregivers at Genesis Adult Family Home. We are forever thankful to them for the loving care they gave to Gary. And to Michael, Eunice, Dani and Morgan at Bristol Hospice we thank you.

God was ever present in Gary’s life. He saw the wonders of every day: people, sunsets, oceans, mountains and animals, often coming to get Marilyn to show her, as if he was seeing them for the first time. May we all take a second to look and appreciate these wonders as he did.

Together on Earth, forever in Heaven, we have loved you!

There will be a service remembering Gary at Evergreen Funeral Home on Broadway on April 7 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to:

Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

16018 Mill Creek Blvd

Mill Creek WA 98012

Or to:

Bristol Hospice

12625 4th Ave W Suite 203

Everett, WA 98204