Derek Wayne Birkestol, 57, a Stillaguamish Tribal Elder of Arlington, WA, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021. Derek was a loving father to Christie and Rachel, and loving grandfather to Vance, Austin, Andre, and Mariah.
Derek was born to Carol (Goodridge) Lindgren-Brooks and Gary Birkestol on May 10, 1963. He was brother to Steven, Jeffrey, Bryan, Victoria and Darcy; and nephew to Doris. He married his high school sweetheart, Debbie, in 1983. They remained good friends after divorcing in 1991 and Derek treated Debbie's other daughter, Katie, as his own.
Derek worked for several different companies as a journeyman trailer mechanic. The most significant time in this occupation was spent at Stevedoring Services of America in Seattle, where he worked with his father, Gary, and brother, Jeff. He attended South Seattle Community College, Renton Community College, and North Seattle Community College to further his training, at various times throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He later worked for the Stillaguamish tribal fisheries department doing seasonal fish tagging.
He spent much of his life living in Lynnwood, WA, where he had many friends and led a full and rich life. His most loved activities included spending time with family and friends, racing dirtbikes, listening to a variety of awesome music, playing many different sports and games, and watching sports, especially the Mariners and the Seahawks. He moved further north in the 2000s, eventually settling in Arlington, WA, where he was an active part of the Stillaguamish tribe.
Derek will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, WA. We will forever remember what a caring, funny, generous, and wonderful person he was.
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
Who has won the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
Who has played and laughed with enthusiasm
and sung with exultation;
Who has always looked for the best in others
and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.
~Bessie Anderson Stanley
Private Funeral with Public Livestream Webcast will be held on January 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4504 Broadway, Everett, WA.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.14.0