Peter R. DeVries, 93, a longtime Skagit County resident, passed away Sept. 17, 2007, at a local care facility. Peter was born May 5, 1914, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the son of Reindert and Adriana Kooyman DeVries.

Peter’s father Reindert DeVries was a farmer in Winnipeg. When Peter was a child he had serious lung infections and the doctor told his parents that they should move to a milder climate. Reindert traveled to California and to Whidbey Island, where he had relatives. His purpose was to decide between the two. He decided against California because you must work all year there. On Whidbey Island, Peter’s father bought property on the Freund plat, south of town. Peter farmed there with his father and then by himself until the town grew out and overtook it.

Peter attended Oak Harbor Grade School through the eighth grade. He became a member of the Reformed Church of Oak Harbor when Reverend Fikse was the pastor.

In 1949, Carl and Alberta Sherman moved to Oak Harbor from Seattle. Carl was employed at the Navy Base. Peter married their daughter, Margie, and they raised a family and built a new house on the farm.

Peter is survived by his wife Margie of Mount Vernon; five sons, Timothy Steven, Mark Roger, Ryan Carl, Stanley Grant, Louis James (died in 1980) and Wallace Peter DeVries; one daughter, Andrea; seven grandchildren, Jason, Eric, Steven, Anthony, Collin, Janet and Adriana DeVries; and four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Tyler, Jaslynn and Julian DeVries.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. at Kern Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A reception will follow the service in Kern’s social room.