Gary Bickmore

Gary Ray Bickmore, 67, of Allyn, Washington, passed away on March 2, 2026, after a
courageous battle with tongue cancer. Born on December 24, 1958, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Gary was a Christmas Eve baby who never lost his love for the holiday season or the joy it brought to those around him.

Gary grew up in Utah, where his family instilled in him a deep appreciation for
togetherness, tradition, and treating people right. Those values stayed with him every single day of his life. After completing some college, Gary moved to Port Orchard, Washington, when his father's job brought the family to the Pacific Northwest. In 1977, he began working at K2, a job he genuinely loved and threw himself into. He later moved on to Alaska Airlines, where he built a long and dedicated career until his retirement in 2015. Gary was the kind of worker who took pride in what he did, and both companies were lucky to have him.

On May 23, 1998, Gary married Winona, the love of his life, and together they built a home full of warmth and thoughtfulness. Gary was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He opened car doors. He filled up the gas tank without being asked. He fixed whatever needed fixing. Every single holiday, without fail, Winona could count on receiving a card, flowers, or a gift. He simply never forgot, and he never let a moment pass without showing the people he loved that they mattered.

Gary poured his heart into making holidays special, especially Christmas and Easter. He
made sure each one was a big deal for the kids and grandkids, taking care of every detail so they could enjoy the magic of opening their presents and feeling celebrated. He lived cleanly and simply, never drinking, smoking, or using drugs. His only vices, if you could even call them that, were tanning and drinking cold soda.

An avid photographer, Gary loved loading up the family and heading out on adventures. Whether it was a drive to the mountains, a trip to the beach, or a vacation somewhere new, he was always behind the camera, capturing the moments that mattered most. Those photos are now treasured reminders of a man who understood that life's greatest gifts are the memories we make together.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, John and Twilla Bickmore; his brother,
John Bickmore; and his sister, Debbie Bickmore. He is survived by his wife, Winona
Bickmore of Allyn, Washington; his step daughters, Melissa Ward and Nicole Ward; his step son Alex Ward; and his grandchildren, Carter Boulden, Kennedy Boulden, Avery Ward, and Amelia Ward all of whom brought him immeasurable joy.

The memorial service to honor Gary's life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 12:00 pm at the Lewis Funeral Chapel, 5303 Kitsap Way, Bremerton, Washington, 98312. There will also be a reception following the service at 1:00 pm at the same venue. For those who are unable to attend in person, a live stream of the service will be available at https://my.gather.app/remember/gary-bickmore.

We encourage friends and family to share their memories and upload photos of Gary to his memorial page. Each shared memory and photo is a testament to the vibrant life he lived, the love he shared, and the legacy he leaves behind. Gary's spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.