Fred Polinder Jr.

  Fred K. Polinder Jr. passed away on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, at the age of 87 years. Born to Fred K. and Cornelia (Spaan) Polinder on Aug. 21, 1928, he was a lifelong Lynden resident. He married Glenda Blankers on Sept. 4, 1950, and they recently celebrated their 65th anniversary.
  He is survived by wife Glenda; sons Fred III (Gracene) and Scott (Dorothy); daughter Debbie (Arnold) Rottier and son-in-law Spencer Johnson; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Lois Polinder; and numerous other relatives.
  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Onalee Polinder Johnson; grandson Christopher Polinder; his parents; brothers Gerrit and Henry; and sisters Anna Van Diest and Joan Holleman.
  Fred was a longtime member of First Reformed Church. His vocation was agriculture. He was a progressive dairy farmer and had a top herd of registered Holsteins. He was one of the first farmers to install a milk tank in Whatcom County. He promoted the dairy industry well with his innovative ideas as he served on the Dairy Herd Improvement (milk testing) Association boards on the local, state and national levels, and as state and national president. He also served on the All West Breeders Select Board for many years and was inducted into the Washington Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Hall of Fame.
  Draft horses were his hobby. He began driving a six-horse hitch at the age of 18 at the Northwest Washington Fair and continued on for 60 years with his prize-winning Clydesdales. Showing horses became a family affair as Fred traveled around the United States and Canada.
  Again with his progressive ways, he became involved in the local and national levels with the National Clydesdale Association. Fred served as national president and was inducted into the Clydesdale Association Hall of Fame.
  Fred was sought out as a horse judge and traveled to major shows in Scotland, South America, Canada and the U.S. He was known to be a competent and fair judge.
  Fred served as an active board member for the Northwest Washington Fair for 32 years and was influential in shaping the future of the fair.
  The family thanks the Christian Health Care Center and Hospice for their loving care in his last days.
  A time of visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, in Gillies Funeral Home. A graveside committal will be at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service in First Reformed Church, 610 Grover St., Lynden.
  The family suggests memorials be given to the Christian Health Care Center, 855 Aaron Dr., Lynden, WA 98264; or Whatcom Hospice, 2800 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.
  You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
  Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.