Obituary

Gregory G Wilkinson of Spokane, Washington, died August 24, 2009 after a long journey with cancer.

Born in Sedro Woolley, Washington on June 3, 1952 to Les and Ruth Wilkinson. Greg was raised in Skagit County and treasured the rich heritage of his childhood there.

Greg was a man of steadfast faith with a calling to proclaim God's love in many settings. He found satisfaction and fulfillment by being compassionately involved in ministries like City Reachers and House of Prayer. His passion for global missions resulted in travel to participate in ministries in the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, India, Mexico, and Mozambique. He shared this ministry work with his beloved wife of thirty years, Vernie.

A life-long thirst for learning was most recently quenched by seminary classes in Hebrew and Greek when Greg was preparing to reenter the classroom as a professor of Biblical studies. He shared his love for words and the Word in many ways and in numerous venues. After twenty-five years as a syndicated quiz creator, with his column VocabPower published in various newspapers, including The Spokesman Review, Greg compiled the columns and self-published the book VocabPower 101 [2008]. This book was preceded by the publication of God, Cancer and Me: A Journey from Final Stage Cancerto Being Cancer-Free! [2007]. After working in a range of settings from the classroom to the cabstand, Greg retired from United Parcel Service in 2008. He was blessed by their generosity and support in his cancer journey.

An avid runner, Greg competed in numerous events including many Bloomsday races, culminating his running career as 'Spidey', the Spiderman running companion of a blind runner. He ended his first book with the statement, 'I want to finish the race of lifewith hands high in praise and eyes fixed upon Jesus."

Greg is survived by his wife Vernie of Spokane, WA, daughter Jenny Schillinger and her husband Dave of Spokane, WA, son John Wilkinson of New York, NY, granddaughters Jordan and Taylor Schillinger of Spokane, WA, his brother Les [Deng] Wilkinson of Fairbanks, AK, sisters Georganne [Harold] Robertson of Seattle, WA, Susan [Dale] Ragan of Mount Vernon, WA and Julie [Terry] Rousseau of Bow, WA. He is also survived by his wife's parents Vernon and Earlene Whitney of Lacey, WA, brothers-in-law Rick [Vicki] Whitney of Kirkland, WA, and Treven [Kim] Whitney of Grants Pass, Oregon, sister-in-law Marci [Paul] Mittelstaedt of Moses Lake, WA and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial Service was held Sunday, August 30th, 2:30 p.m., New Covenant Fellowship at Healing Rooms New Annex Bldg, 112 E First Ave., Spokane.