Gerald Lee Knutson, 74, of Anacortes, was a remarkable man. He left his beloved family with them by his side, on July 1, 2008, while at the University of Washington Hospital following a heart attack.

Jerry and his high school sweetheart, Darlene, marked 56 years of marriage on June 27, 2008. Jerry enjoyed gardening and had just planted a small vegetable garden that was really a surprise cut-flower garden for Darlene.

Jerry's journey through life began in Fort Dodge Iowa, January 14, 1934, when he was born to Henry and Doris Knutson. At the age of six months he moved with his family to Port Orchard WA. Jerry graduated in 1951 from South Kitsap High School, Port Orchard. As Captain of the football team he led the Wolves to win the Olympic Championship. Jerry coached Little League while waiting for Darlene Johnson to graduate and, on June 27, 1952, they married in Port Orchard. With Darlene's loving support Jerry worked his way through college, usually with more than one job, graduating in 1958 with a degree in education from Central Washington University, Ellensburg WA. Jerry did his student teaching at Clark Junior High in Vancouver WA. In the autumn of 1958 he began his teaching and coaching career at Shelton Junior High in Shelton WA. In Shelton Jerry was also Recreation Director at the Washington State Penitentiary.

After relocating to Anacortes in 1965 he continued teaching and topics he enjoyed the most included Washington State History, Current Events, and Geography. His passion for sports carried onto the field where he continued to coach football into the early 80's. He concluded his thirty year career in 1988 at Anacortes High School, where he was voted Teacher of the Year three consecutive years. An avid Seattle Mariners Fan and forever a coach, you could always find Jerry listening to all the Anacortes Seahawks games on his AM radio.

While Jerry inspired the lives of many students and is famous for taking them on "hypothetical journeys", his true pleasure was found in the real journeys he shared with Darlene. Together they traveled to Alaska, California, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, Belize, Minnesota, Florida, and New Mexico. While his children were growing up, the family spent a great deal of time camping on Hood Canal and in the Olympics and many wonderful memories and traditions were made. Nothing gave Jerry more pleasure than the time he shared with his large and ever growing family.

Jerry Knutson is survived by his lifelong companion, beloved wife Darlene, and their six children: Deborah Knutson; Douglas (Suzanne) Knutson; Daniel (Cathy) Knutson; Diana (Gene Gilden),Delmer Knutson, all of Anacortes; and Denise (Ted Ostlund) of Vancouver Washington; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: John Murdock and fiancée Courtney Dodge; Daniel Murdock; Nate Knutson; Jerad Knutson and son, Grady; Riley Knutson of Arizona; Nick and Claire Knutson and daughter, Kaley, Sedro Woolley; Danelle Knutson and fiancée Jesse Thibert and son, Jayden; Trisha Gilden and fiancée Chris Davis and son, Eamon and Alex; Dustin and Sara Gilden; Brandon and Heather Gilden and daughter, Tessa, Sedro Woolley; Hank and Emma Knutson; and Kelsea and Bode Ostlund, Vancouver. Jerry is also survived by one sister, Eulalah (Keith) Craswell, Bellingham; one brother, Dennis, Port Orchard; and one brother-in-law, Doug La Porte, New Mexico and numerous nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother and father; a brother, Richard; a sister, Mavis Usselman; and his great-grandson, Tyler Knutson.

On behalf of Jerry, his family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at University of Washington Hospital; Blair McCallum and the ER staff at Island Hospital; and the doctors, nurses, and technicians at Skagit Valley Kidney Center, for their always attentive and dignifying care. Following Jerry's wishes there will be no funeral.

A private family service will be held later in July and Jerry's ashes will be interred at Grandview Cemetery, Anacortes. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Skagit Valley Kidney Center, Mount Vernon Washington.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. Share memories of Gerald and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com