Dr. Gary VanderYacht of Phoenix, Arizona was called home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. He was born on March 24, 1936 to Walter and Helen VanderYacht and graduated from Ferndale High School in 1955.
After graduation he spent three years in the U.S. Army where he received the Distinguished Service Award. From there he went to the University of Washington and graduated from Dental School in 1965.
He was President of his Freshman class in Dental School and after graduation he taught at the University full time in 1965-66 and part time from 1966-73 while starting his Dental Practice in Lynden.
He became very involved in the Lynden Community being Director of Programs in the Kiwanis Club, President of the Jaycees, and President of the Lynden School Board.
In 1976, Gary and his wife Grace moved to Fairbanks Alaska and worked for the Teamsters Dental Clinic during the pipeline days where Gary became the director of the clinic. They enjoyed the beauty of Alaska and did a lot of riverboat fishing, entertaining many family and friends who came to visit.
In 1993, Gary semi-retired and they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where they did a lot of golfing until 2000 when their granddaughter Megan was born and he babysat her a lot including home schooling her in seventh grade and taking her to her swim meets.
Gary enjoyed a lot of hobbies. He raised rabbits for show, restored a 1963 Comet Convertible, collected baseball cards, model cars and N gauge trains. He enjoyed working in his wood shop making many beautiful bowls and restoring many pieces of furniture. He grew a community garden at the church and brought lots of produce to a homeless shelter and he also enjoyed reading many books.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ron VanderYacht, in-laws Herman and Frieda VanderMey, brother and sister-in-law Sid and Greta VanderMey, and sister-in-law Cheryl DeWaard.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Grace, sons Dean (Christine)VanderYacht, Duane VanderYacht and David (Vonda) VanderYacht all of Lynden and Step-sons Terry Klander and Aaron Klander of Phoenix. His grandchildren are Natalie Almquust, Michelle (Brandon) Zoerink, Bryce (Katie) VanderYacht, TJ and Brenna VanderYacht and Megan and Paul Klander. Great Grandchildren are Jackson, Andi, Makenzie and Rylan. Brothers-in-law Harry (Sue) VanderMey, James (Cheryl) VanderMey and Chuck DeWaard.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date this Summer in Lynden at Gary’s request.
