John Henry Bluhm

John Henry Bluhm was born in Sheridan Montana April 24, 1923 to Henry and Hilda Bluhm died on April 10, 2012 surrounded by his girls. His parents moved to Woodinville, Washington when he was 5 years old. He helped his dad work the farm. Later in his teens played slide guitar on the radio to support his parents during the depression. He graduated from Bothell High School June of 1943 and 5 days later was drafted into the service. He served his country during World War II earning the rank of staff sergeant and worked in core headquarters.

After the war he came back to marry his high school sweet heart, Beryl Flanagan on May 17, 1946. This coming May they would have been married 66 years. The year of their marriage they bought and ran the Mobil Service station in Bothell. Over the 21 year of running the business, they expanded the services to include a towing business. His daughters remember going with him on a towing calls and afterwards being rewarded with a “double double” ice cream cone. In their “free time” they purchase property next to the service station and built what is now called the Ranch drive in.

As a business owner he was an active member of the Chamber of commerce, the Lions Club, serving as president and was a Mason. While serving these organizations, he volunteered to organize and deliver Thanksgiving baskets, coordinated eye glass donations, visited TB sanitarium and for 10 years chaired the Bothell 4th July parade. He retired from the Service Station after 21 years, built his “dream house” and worked for the King County road crew for 13 years. He loved “playing with the big toys”.

In retirement he enjoyed boating, fishing and traveling the world. Beryl and John motored with the Edmonds Yacht club, Rainer RV group and learned to fly a plane at age 50. They also winter in Tucson enjoying the “Bothell bunch”.

John is survived by his “sweet heart” Beryl Bluhm, daughters Cheryl Hartsook (Dennis), Irene Woolery (Arthur). His grandchildren: Sarah Woolman (Josh), Darene Follett (Matt), Asa Woolery (Paula), Ryan Berg (Amanda) and Chris Hartsook. Lastly his cute and very active great grandchildren: Ben and Roslynn Woolman, Travis and Nathan Follett and Ava Woolery.