Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle.


Gary Shimek

EDMONDS – Gary Shimek of Edmonds died of cancer and Parkinson’s disease March 15, 2024, in Edmonds. He was 75.

He was born Sept. 1, 1948, in Seattle to Otto and Jean (Tebay) Shimek. After attending Highline High School, he earned an associate degree at Highline Community College and a degree in business administration from the University of Washington.

He married Yvonne Maier in a civil ceremony on May 20, 1978; they were married in the Catholic Church on May 20, 1979, at St. James Cathedral.

He worked as a database administrator at The Boeing Co. for 38 years, retiring in 2011.

A member of St. Thomas More Parish in Lynnwood, he was an usher, served on the school board and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was active in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed the outdoors — fishing, boating, hunting, hiking and camping. He also enjoyed traveling around the U.S. in an RV, going on cruises and spending a month every year in Hawaii. He collected model trains and enjoyed making intricate layouts. A history buff, he was especially interested in the World War II era.

He was preceded in death by his brother Richard Shimek.

He is survived by his wife Yvonne, sons Brad (Heather) and Brian, daughter Barbara (Mike Erickson), his brother Robert (Rita) Shimek and granddaughters Emma and Ava Shimek.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. March 25 at St. Thomas More Church in Lynnwood. Interment will be at Holyrood Cemetery in Shoreline. 

Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas More School.

As a free service to the Catholic community, Northwest Catholic posts online the obituaries of Catholics whose funerals are held in parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle or at Catholic cemeteries in the archdiocese. Submit an obituary here.