John Haakonson John A. Haakonson, 75, a resident of Grapeview, died on Oct. 19, 2012, at Harborview Medical Cen- ter in Seattle. He was born on Dec. . 7, 1936, in Ket— chikan, Alaska, to Erlin‘g and Margaret Haakon- son. After graduat- ing from John high school, Haakonson John worked as a telegraph operator for Northern Pacific Railroad before being drafted into the Army. After his four— year stint in the Army, he ,'/// continued with the rail- road, becoming a dispatch— er, working in Tacoma, among other places. John met the love of his life, Jeannette, and they married on June 19, 1976, in Oak Harbor. After John retired from the railroad, he worked again at the Georgia Pacific Company in Bellingham, and then for Whidbey Island Win- ery. John’s hobbies have always included trains -— having amassed a large collection of mostly HO gauge but also 0 gauge trains, and layouts. But he didn’t settle for only the “toys.” He bought a real engine and kept it at Wick- ersham, where he drove the engine and passenger cars during holiday times. He is survived by sister Anne Langston of Louisi- ana; stepson John Hole- man and granddaughter Selena of Las Vegas. John was preceded in death last year by his wife of 35 years. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Shelton Presby— terian Church, 1430 Shel- ton Springs Road, Shelton, WA 98584. Memorial donations can be made to Northern Pa- cific Railway Historical As- sociation, 1012 S.E. Front St., Winlock, WA 98596. , OCR Text: John Haakonson John A. Haakonson, 75, a resident of Grapeview, died on Oct. 19, 2012, at Harborview Medical Cen- ter in Seattle. He was born on Dec. . 7, 1936, in Ket— chikan, Alaska, to Erlin‘g and Margaret Haakon- son. After graduat- ing from John high school, Haakonson John worked as a telegraph operator for Northern Pacific Railroad before being drafted into the Army. After his four— year stint in the Army, he ,'/// continued with the rail- road, becoming a dispatch— er, working in Tacoma, among other places. John met the love of his life, Jeannette, and they married on June 19, 1976, in Oak Harbor. After John retired from the railroad, he worked again at the Georgia Pacific Company in Bellingham, and then for Whidbey Island Win- ery. John’s hobbies have always included trains -— having amassed a large collection of mostly HO gauge but also 0 gauge trains, and layouts. But he didn’t settle for only the “toys.” He bought a real engine and kept it at Wick- ersham, where he drove the engine and passenger cars during holiday times. He is survived by sister Anne Langston of Louisi- ana; stepson John Hole- man and granddaughter Selena of Las Vegas. John was preceded in death last year by his wife of 35 years. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Shelton Presby— terian Church, 1430 Shel- ton Springs Road, Shelton, WA 98584. Memorial donations can be made to Northern Pa- cific Railway Historical As- sociation, 1012 S.E. Front St., Winlock, WA 98596. , Mason County Genealogical Society,Obituaries,Other Obituaries,H Last Name,Haakonson, John A..tif,Haakonson, John A..tif, Haakonson, John A..tif