Harold L. Bartram, island patriarch, passed away Jan. 27, 2011
Harold Lloyd Bartram – February 1, 1927 ~ January 27, 2011
Harold Lloyd Bartram, 83, of Anacortes, Washington passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at his home in Anacortes.
He was born on February 1, 1927 in Glendora, California, the second child of Alberta Armina Bales and John Elmer Bartram. He was born into a family of builders. Harold and Betty Caruthers were married in Monroe, Oregon in 1945 and they raised four children; Doug, Mike, June, and Jack. After serving in the U.S. Navy and learning to fly in Port Townsend, Harold went on to build houses, schools, and even a concrete bridge in Oregon.
He moved his family to Blakely Island in 1958 where he, along with a partner, developed the north end of the island. This included building a water system, dredging the marina, improving the airstrip, and constructing approximately 100 homes and 3 ferries.
Harold enjoyed building and cruising boats, and motor homing across the U.S. and Canada. But, his favorite mode of transportation was piloting helicopters, which he learned to fly at the age of 66. Harold loved flying over the San Juan Islands and over mesas around their winter home in Arizona. He was a lifelong member of the Elks and was especially proud of his affiliation with the Quiet Birdmen Association.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, John and Armina Bartram; his brother, Donald Bartram; sister, Darlene Teeter; and his sons, Doug and Jack Bartram. Surviving Harold are his wife, Betty of Anacortes; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Vicki Bartram of Olga, WA; daughter and son-in-law, June and Don Fitzpatrick, Jr. of Winthrop, WA; grandchildren, Adam Bartram, Travis Bartram, Ryan Weber, Angie Bartram, Chad Bartram, Vern Bartram, and Mandy Randolph; 7 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Evelyn Huffman and Irene Devereaux.
A funeral service was held Monday, January 31, 2011 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes, with interment at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Harold, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
