| Graduation Year | Class of 1970 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 26, 2018 |
| About | John Michael McArdle, 65, of Bellingham, passed away at his home on March 26, 2018. A celebration of John’s life will be held at the Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 N Harbor Loop Dr., in Bellingham on May 13, 2018 from 2:00-4:00 pm. John was born in Yakima, Washington to John William and Ruth Hettinger McArdle on September 7, 1952. He graduated from Eisenhower High School in Yakima in 1970. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Washington State College in 1976. John worked for over 30 years at the Skagit County Juvenile Detention Center where he retired in 2014. Through his social work, he helped a huge number of at-risk youth in our community. He was well-respected by his colleagues as a strong advocate for social justice, a cause he continued to champion even after his retirement. John loved the outdoors and was an avid camper, a dog lover, a fan of science fiction, and he took great pride in maintaining his meticulous home and gardens. John is survived by 11 cousins, one aunt and one uncle, his Dachshunds, Abby and Susie, and numerous longtime friends whose lives were touched by John’s kindness and generosity. Many, many people will miss him. Memorial donations may be made to the Smile Train or the Whatcom Humane Society. Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA April 13, 2018 |
