Obituary of Gerald Guy Burger

Union, Washington - Gerald Guy Burger, 90, died of natural causes Sunday, November 19, 2017 at his home on Hood Canal. Gerald was born January 27, 1927 to Hannah and Guy Burger in Everett, Washington. The Burger’s moved just north of Hoodsport near Brennan, Washington where Gerald attended school in Shelton. Gerald joined the US Army in April of 1945, trained at Ft. Lewis, Washington, served in the Occupational Forces in the Pacific and received the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). Following his military service, he returned to the Shelton area and returned to work for Simpson Timber Company in 1946 working at Camp Grisdale where his love for suspenders and a hankering for whiskey began. He then moved to Canyon River and then onto Camp Govey where he then retired in 1985. He was married to Margaret Makoviney in 1948 where they briefly lived at Simpson’s Camp Grisdale in the Olympics Mountains before moving to Shelton, Washington. Gerald and Margaret had one son, Gary Lee Burger that resides in Redmond, Washington. Gerald was remarried to Karen Kohl of Union, Washington in 1978. Karen and Gerald built a home on the South Shore of Hood Canal in 1982 and both have lived there until Gerald’s passing on November 19th. Gerald grew up in logging and road construction and was an expert bulldozer operator. He was an avid outdoorsman that loved hunting and fishing with his son often in the Olympic Mountains and over in Eastern Washington near Wauconda. There will be a celebration of his life to be announced sometime in January, 2018 at the new Community Church of Union. Gerald is survived by his wife Karen, son Gary and his wife Amy, two granddaughters Allyson (Newport Beach, CA) and Rachael (Portland, Or), Huey, Murphy and Winston his favorite lap loving dogs and his sister Louise Okonek of Grapeview.