Peter Wickham Garretson

Peter Wickham Garretson died at the age of 75 on May 31st, 2026, in the same place he was born--Yakima, Washington. While Peter had been challenged by debilitating illnesses for a long time, he never complained and never lost his dry (some would say dark) sense of humor. He always treasured the wonders of God’s world. Peter knew how to identify and appreciate a Swainson’s Hawk landing on a Dogwood and the hillside alpenglow he saw from his window. Peter was a creative man and used his creativity to solve problems in a deliberate, calm manner. He could design and maintain a domestic irrigation system or a commercial cold storage system for apples at the Lloyd Garretson family ranch.

Peter grew up on his family’s apple ranch in Yakima and carried with him for the rest of his life an intimate knowledge of that landscape, both flora and fauna. Although he spent time working in Oregon and in Seward, Alaska for Seward Fisheries, (which led to an unfortunate life-long allergy to crab and all other shellfish) the majority of his employment was spent working with tree fruit, first on his family’s ranch and finally retiring from Pace International where he was a Field Representative. Peter used to brag that he had only three real jobs in his life. As an employee, Peter was loyal and hardworking. As a manager, Peter may have been soft-spoken, but he was thoughtful, fair and respected.

Beyond his professional contributions, Peter was somewhat of a renaissance man (although he would never refer to himself that way). Peter graduated from Davis High School and enrolled for a time at Yakima Valley Community College but was primarily self-taught. He studied voraciously across a wide range of subjects. He could easily answer most historical, political, or geographical questions (although, surprisingly, he was an admittedly terrible speller and was homonym challenged). Peter never lost his sense of curiosity about people and the world around him. He had many hobbies and was talented at all of them. When he was younger, he enjoyed competing in downhill skiing, rock/mountain climbing, and was an award-winning high power rifle champion (which skill was also used to reduce the local varmint population). He loved fly fishing and tied his own flies. Over the years he designed and maintained several beautiful gardens. Peter was an excellent cook and enjoyed sharing home-cooked meals with family and friends.

Perhaps Peter’s best gift was his ability to share his knowledge on a wide variety of subjects—he was a natural born teacher. Anyone who had the pleasure of learning with Peter’s guidance will not soon forget the experience. Beneath a somewhat serious exterior was a warm and generous heart. Peter was an active member of AA with 18 years clean and sober when he died. His home group was One Day at a Time and its members were also Peter’s family.

Peter loved animals—all kinds, including his donkey “Ned” whose adventuress will be remembered by the Garretson family. His pets over the years are too numerous to recount here, but most recently he loved Cento, the Lagotto Romagnolo, and Beane, Nigel, Lucy, and Angelo, the magnificent cats. The Easter weekend shortly before his death, a black Labrador mix (later named “Lilly”) showed up at the house. Peter said she was God sent to protect Monique and keep her company.

Those who remain behind to remember Peter include his wife, Monique Vincent, his younger sister, Eve Garretson, cousins Mary Moore, Linda Goldsworthy, Ann Garretson, Gail Davis, Sally Bower, Carol Redman; his Omak family which include his sister-in-law, Jocelyn Vincent, her son Timothy Vincent, Sidera Blue, Natalie Vincent-Ramsey and many more family and friends. Those who went ahead of Peter include his parents James and Barbara Garretson, his brother, Joel Garretson, cousin David Garretson, Uncle Lloyd (“Bud”) Garretson, and John Garretson.

Peter loved his family and friends but did not want a funeral. Those who wish to bid goodbye to Peter can do so at the Yakima Valley Foursquare Church, 5802 Summitview Ave., #130, Yakima, Washington on Saturday, June 27, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m. This will be an informal (potluck) gathering, a time of fellowship to share our memories of Peter.