Philli Garfoot

Phillip L. Garfoot, of Stehekin, passed away peacefully at the age of 72, on March 30, 2010, in Wenatchee, following a brave and strong battle with lung cancer. Phil was born to Russell and Frankie Garfoot in Porterville, CA on August 10, 1937. He attended schools in Fresno and graduated from Roosevelt High School. While there, he was an outstanding baseball player, who loved the infield and played second base and baseball remained a passion throughout his life. After high school he attended Fresno State and the University of Montana, where he studied Art. He admired artists, illustrators and cartoonists alike, and his artistic talent and keen eye for beauty, later inspired his unique hand-routed wood signs that are a trademark of the Stehekin Valley and miles of surrounding back country trails. In 1958, Phil joined the Merchant Marines as an Ordinary Seaman. He had the privilege of being a crew member on the maiden voyage of the hospital ship Hope. In 1960, Phil joined the Army and served in the 101st Airborne Division as a Paratrooper. Phil's love of the outdoors and wildlife, eventually led him to work for the National Park Service, first as a Seasonal Ranger in Yosemite, and for the last 40 years as the Trails Maintenance Foreman for North Cascades NP, living in Stehekin. Phil was also a Farrier and shod horses for local horse owners and outfitters, as well as the Park Service. Phil met and married his wife, Wendy, a nurse, in 1967, while both worked in Yosemite. Phil and Wendy lived at the historic Buckner Apple Orchard for over 30 years. Phil took care of the trees and buildings, welcomed frequent visitors and kept the character of the place alive. In 2008, Phil and Wendy took a long-anticipated journey to Norway, to explore his family heritage and returned with pictures and tales to share with friends and family. Phil is survived by his loving wife, Wendy (Hall) Garfoot; his son, Brun and his wife, Mindy (Jeffries) Garfoot and their four children, Leanna, Josie, Makayla and Ian; his daughter, Liv (Garfoot) Moir and her husband, John Moir. Phil is also survived by his younger brother, Lance Garfoot and his wife, Beverly (Noble) Garfoot and their three children, Tod Garfoot, Lisa Garfoot and Kirsten Olmos; and his youngest brother, Paul Garfoot and his three children, Angela Timmen, Abry Garfoot and Meagan (Garfoot) Jackson. Paul was preceded in death by his wife Sue (Risteen) Garfoot. A Private Gathering will be held at a later date. Donations can be made on behalf of Phil Garfoot to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society or Central Washington Hospice Program