Don Bradley Gabrielson

Don Bradley Gabrielson passed away peacefully May 1 at the age of 92.

Born in Vaughn to Edward C. and Mona C. Gabrielson in 1933, Don worked many jobs until his retirement at 62. Some of his jobs included working at his father’s service station in Key Center, as a logger, a boat painter, and a salesman at a Sears automotive store. His last job was driving a company truck and distributing automotive chemicals to service stations, auto dealers, and stores in his service territory.

He also loved games. Don bowled in leagues, sometimes two at once. He played card games including pinochle, bridge, and cribbage. He liked playing Keno, blackjack, and Pai Gow poker at the casinos. He was a member of a cribbage group and played on Mondays up to the last couple of weeks of his life.

Family came first. Don was a son, a grandson, a nephew, a brother of two, a cousin to many, a husband, a father of three, an uncle, a grandfather, and, for the last 13 years of his life, a great-grandfather. He always made sure to attend family get-togethers. He had family dinner nights about every three weeks or so, usually at his daughter’s; the last one was only five days before he died. His response after the typical evening dinner was usually, “That was a good day,” and then he would have a little smile.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Gord Gabrielson, and his brother Fred L. Gabrielson.

He is survived by his brother Larry T. Gabrielson; sister-in-law Margaret Friesz; brother-in-law John C., and wife Laurel Gord. He is also survived by his children: Donn E. Gabrielson and wife, Karen L. McIntosh-Gabrielson; Carl B. and wife Sheila A. Gabrielson; and daughter, Karen L. and Robert M. Keblbek. Three grandchildren: David and wife, Jody Gabrielson; Nicholas and wife, Ivy Gabrielson; and Amanda (Gabrielson), and her husband, Andrew Gablehouse. Don also had two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.

There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the Vaughn Bay Cemetery, 9600 186th Ave. NW, in Vaughn. Please consider a donation in Don’s name to the Vaughn Bay Cemetery Association, P.O Box 318, Vaughn, WA 98394.

An informal celebration of Don’s life will be held the following day, May 23, at his daughter’s home, located at 1832 North Orchard Street in Tacoma, from 1 to 5 p.m.