Obituary of Pat Buker

Pat Buker Pat Buker, age 54, Olympia, died at home Sunday, March 13, 2011, after suffering what was determined to be a massive heart attack. Healthy and physically active, his death has shocked us all. He was born July 17, 1956, in Shelby, MT, to Newt and Stick Buker. He attended LP Brown Elementary, Jefferson Middle School and Olympia High School, graduating from Medical Lake High School in 1974. He graduated from Western Washington University in 1978, and earned an MBA from City University. In 1972, his family moved to Medical Lake, WA, where his dad was superintendent of Lakeland Village, a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities. Pat was an active volunteer at Lakeland, dedicating thousands of hours helping residents train for the Special Olympics, teaching life skills classes and simply being their friend, some of whom remained his friend until his death. He turned his passion for helping people, especially those with developmental disabilities, into a lifelong career with the state of Washington. Pat worked at Fircrest School in Shoreline, WA, Rainier School in Buckley, WA, Western State Hospital in Steilacoom, and DSHS, OFM, GA in Olympia at many administrative positions. Pat’s passions were many – some more public than others. He spent countless hours on the property surrounding his home digging, building, doing demolition, hauling rocks, making trails and gardens. A downed tree, a baseball game on the radio, a chainsaw full of gas, his dogs and a Frisbee beat a cold beer and a day at the beach hands down. His other passions included baseball, especially Willie Mays and the World Series Champions San Francisco Giants; football, notably Bart Starr, Brett Favre and Superbowl Champion Green Bay Packers; college basketball, particularly the John Wooden dynasty and UCLA Bruins; and music, especially the blues. He compiled hundreds of CDs to commemorate the events in his life and the lives of family and friends. Pat spent thousands of hours on his property hauling rocks, chopping up fallen trees, and building ponds and decks. He was a member of the ACLU, revered the Kennedys, and read three newspapers daily. He was a geographical savant; he loved maps and spent hours reading them. Once he discovered Google maps, he was on the computer for hours. He could give detailed directions within any city he had traveled to or planned to visit. Pat was quick-witted and wickedly sarcastic; there was never a dull moment around him. Most of his best stuff was likely to be at the expense of someone in the crowd—an experience with which many readers may be personally acquainted—generally harmless, funny all the same. After a year of stalking her, he eventually persuaded Trish Jones to marry him. A very extravagant wedding – the talk of society pages, no doubt – took place September 23, 1978. It was almost moved to city hall after a fight with the priest and complicated by the fact that Pat herniated a disc moving the keg for the reception. Trish began nursing school at the UW the Monday following. In 1990, their son Will was born. That day was Pat’s proudest moment, but it only got better. As the years passed, Pat continued to watch Will mature and grow into an incredible young man. Parenting was one of the few times Pat dropped his guard – he found great pleasure in Will’s many accomplishments, humor in his friendships and experiences, and unspeakable pride in his abilities. Pat was looking forward to Will’s graduation from Western Washington University, his career, marriage, children and more success in life. Other survivors include his parents, Newt and Stick Buker, Olympia; his sister and brother-in-law, Kath and Dan Duncan, Enumclaw; his brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Elizabeth Buker; brother, Reid Buker, Olympia; 18 nieces and nephews; his dogs Jessie, Jack and Ruby; and many friends and colleagues. An account has been created at WSECU (any branch) for his son, William Buker's continued education expenses. To leave memories of Pat or condolences for the family, please click on "View Guestbook" below.