July 9, 1927 – November 25, 2024
Elton L Atkinson passed suddenly on November 25, 2024. He was born July 9, 1927, the first child to his father (Roy W) and mother (Bertha Lee) in Bellingham, WA. He was later joined by a younger brother and sister. His father had come to work in the coal mine in Bellingham and later worked in the Union rising up the ranks to be a Union leader. His mother was a homemaker when the children were young but later worked for the federal government. When WWII started he was old enough to volunteer with the local defense coast watch. Elton elected not to finish his senior year of high school in Bellingham WA, and enlisted in the Navy Dec 1944. He was just six months past his 17th birthday. After completing his training young seaman Elton shipped out in April 1945 from San Francisco to join the Pacific fleet. At some point in late April 1945 he joined the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL 29) by riding in a bosun’s chair. His time on the ship was spent standing watches in the crow’s nest as lookout and during battle stations as munitions transport to twin 40mm anti-aircraft guns. Leaving Tokyo at the end of the war, he returned with the Bataan to Philadelphia, where the ship was fitted with bunks on hanger decks, and then made two trips across the Atlantic transporting Italian POWs back home. Elton’s final release from active duty was July 1948.
Elton returned to Seattle where he was employed at Isaacson Steel. There he met and married his wife of 69 years Bonnie. They started a family and moved back to Bellingham for a few years then moved to Lopez Island, WA. On the island, where Bonnie was raised, they enjoyed a community filled with support from family and friends.
While in Bellingham, Elton began a career in commercial salmon fishing. He continued fishing in Alaska and Washington for most of his working career along with construction, well drilling, etc. In 1980 with family raised, he and his wife Bonnie moved to Anacortes, WA where they spent the next 38 years. Bonnie worked at the Port of Anacortes until 1995 when both retired.
They enjoyed a simple retirement with friends and family and RV travel. Elton and Bonnie traveled much of the western US in retirement, often visiting family and friends along the way. Elton always had his fishing gear close by for any opportunity to drop a line in the water along the way.
In 2018 Elton and Bonnie chose to move into assisted living at The Bridge in Mt. Vernon WA, when health issues made it hard for Bonnie to be at home. In November of 2021 Bonnie passed away. Since that time Elton moved into a studio apt at The Bridge. He enjoyed the social gatherings playing bingo and other games with fellow residents. Elton is survived by his three children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
To share memories of Elton, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/elton-atkinson.
