Arthur James Verkler
September 9, 1937 - May 20, 2025
Obituary
Arthur James Verkler was born in the little town of Canadian, Texas along the Canadian river on September 9th 1937 to Arthur and Louise Verkler. He passed away peacefully on May 20th 2025 at 87 years of age at a care facility in Puyallup, WA. He graduated from Canadian High School in 1956 and shortly after joined the Air Force. While stationed at Malstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls Montana he met a young student nurse on a blind date which resulted in marriage on December 19th, 1959 to Lynn and lasted for 65 years.
Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force on October 21st, 1960 a move was made to the Seattle area. Art then received his machinist training at Edison Technical School and apprenticeship at Lindmark Machine Works. As a journeyman machinist he worked at Allied Tractor and Blazer Die Casting and for several years ran his own machine shop.
Art led a full and interesting life with various building projects including a homebuilt airplane he had out at Thun Airfield in Puyallup for awhile. He enjoyed restoring old cars and pickups and attending car shows. In the 1980’s he took square dance lessons with his wife and joined the Dance-A-Lot square dance club where they often went square dancing on Friday nights. He loved fishing and camping with his family and friends and hunting with his German Shorthair bird dogs and on occasion would enjoy a good game of pinochle.
After retiring in 2001 he moved out to their property in Graham where he enjoyed gardening and continuing his hobby of restoring old cars. He also joined the Over The Hill Gang for get together for lunches, pinochle and bunco and attended church dinners and picnics with his wife. He spent a lot of time with the extended family and often at gatherings would get out the croquet set on the lawn.
Art’s parents and 5 older sisters passed away prior to his death. He is survived by his wife Lynn Verkler, son George Verkler (former wife Arni), son Art Verkler Jr. (Dawn), Granddaughters Ashley Verkler, Brandy Bryan (Jonathan), and Eilynn Verkler, Grandson Henry Verkler, Great granddaughters Olivia and Lola Lopez and Aurora Bryan and Great grandson Sebastian Bryan, also 2 sisters-in-law Anita Alexander and JoAnn Ryan and nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be at Lutheran Church of St. Paul 22419 108th Ave. E. in Graham WA. on Saturday June 7th at 11:00am. Art’s interment will take place for the family on Monday June 9th at 12 noon at Bonney Watson-Washington Memorial at SeaTac with military honors.
He will be always loved and never forgotten.