On March 30, 1918, in Everett, WA, Porter and Mabel Garrison welcomed their second son, Joseph B. (Burt) Garrison into the world. 97 years later he left a dramatically changed world.

Raised in the logging camps on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, Burt came to respect hard work, many cultures and the pride of doing a job well. He moved with his family throughout his youth, eventually finding success as a student at the University of Washington. While there, he was called to serve during World War II.

Burt had 4 brothers at the beginning of World War II; he had 3 at its conclusion. The youngest, Don, was lost over the Pacific while flying a combat mission. At the time of Dons' death, Burt was training for the Normandy landing. During one of the training sessions, the lieutenant in charge of his unit forgot to order ammunition for the maneuver. When his unit returned to base, Burt signed up for the officer's exam. 30 some years later he retired from the US Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.

During his military career he: was in charge of the transportation units on the island of Tinian during the time the 2 atomic bombs were launched from there; graduated from one of the first classes of what would become the Air Force Academy with a Master's Degree in missile management; was a key figure in the development of the rocket engines that would launch the Atlas Aegina series of rockets; earned a second MBA from UCLA; was named chairman of the board for Minuteman II missile defense system, bringing that system in on time and under budget; over saw the installation of multiple re-entry warheads on the Minuteman system; was involved in the final development choices for the F-114A. He loved his military career challenges and his country; but he was more than a career officer.

Before being recalled to the military during the Korean conflict, Burt completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington, married the love of his life Bette and negotiated a contract to manage one of the largest logging operations in South America. He obtained his real estate broker's license, acquired waterfront on the south end of Camano Island that was to become his home, source of income from sale of lots and a place he considered as close to paradise as it got. He loved nothing more than driving his family north from California after the children completed a school year, putting on a pair of logger's jeans, not shaving for 2 weeks and teaching his children how to handle themselves in the woods.

His oil painting and drawings revealed the eye of an artist. An ordained minister he could be found studying the bible, speaking of God's influence in his life and the promise made to all who believed. His ability to weave command of the scripture, the values enhanced through his knowledge and work with the Masons, with the eye of the artist and the mind of the skilled manager into a conversation with a stranger allowed him to be approachable, curious and seldom a stranger for long. Burt could walk into a room and not know anyone; he would leave knowing or introducing himself to at least half the people in the room.

Forever curious and generous of spirit, Burt worked with the Chamber of Commerce to develop Camano Island, the Rotary to serve members of the larger Camano Island community, with his brothers in the Masonic lodge wherever he lived and with his family to instill the values of hard work, integrity, drive, will and the power of success that can occur when one applies all of themselves to a task.

Burt is survived by his 4 children: Michael, Sally, Pamela and Heidi, grandchildren Joshua, Conner, Natalie and Jamie and great grandchildren Bentley and Mica. Burt joined his Bette on Friday December 18, 2015.

A celebration of his life will be held at: Gilbertson Funeral Home, 27001 88th Ave NW, Stanwood, WA on Wednesday December 30, 2015 at 11 AM, followed by a gathering at the Camano Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Fund in his name.