Gary Chris Mueller

Gary suddenly and unexpectedly passed away on the morning of October 20, 2016.  His death has been a devastating loss for all that knew him.

He was born on March 7, 1960 to Harold Mueller and Carol (Clute) Mueller in Spokane, WA.  After the family moved, he completed his elementary education in Chico, CA.  Gary returned with his family to the Spokane area in 1973 and attended Sacajawea Junior High School and Ferris High School.  Upon graduation from high school, Gary attended Eastern Washington University for one year and then completed his degree in Interior Design at Washington State University.

Gary initially embarked on his career in the Phoenix, AZ area before fate took over.  In 1986, he crossed paths with is old friend from college, Vicki Rova.  It was a chance meeting that would change his life forever.  Very quickly thereafter, he relocated to Seattle, WA, started dating Vicki and they eventually married on May 28, 1988.  It was the best decision of his life and they spent a lifetime pursuing the tremendous interests that they both had in common.  They loved to travel and they also had a real passion for food and wine.  Beyond all else, Gary's devotion to Washington State University was second to none.  He was actively involved with the Interior Design program and he attended Washington State football games as a season ticket holder for the last 28 years.  No matter how good or bad the season was going, Gary would attend every game and sit through every play.  You would often see him as one of the final fans sitting in the stands on a cold, blustery Pullman day.  Last December, Gary finally achieved one of his bucket list items.  While attending the Army/Navy Game in Philadelphia, PA, he flew the flags on ESPN Gameday for his beloved Cougs.  He watched Gameday religiously every Saturday morning for years, just to see the Washington State flags make another appearance.  After flying the flags, he never stopped smiling the entire day.  In addition to Gary's other interests, he had a lifelong passion for music and specifically a love for the Beatles.  He was a major collector of all things involving the Beatles and he was able to pass along that love of the music to his nephews.  Finally, Gary had an ongoing love/hate relationship with the game of golf and he was also a great lover of cats.

In addition to living in the Seattle area, Gary and his wife, Vicki, purchased a cabin in the Methow Valley near Twisp, WA.  Their home away from home brought them great joy throughout the years.  They spent many holidays together there and developed some wonderful relationships in the small community that they loved so much.

Gary will be missed greatly by his family, friends and his team of associates of HomeStreet Bank.  He loved his job and he always enjoyed spending time with everyone special in his life over a glass of wine, a craft beer or just a good meal.  There will be a real void in all of the lives that he touched, knowing that those moments will now just be memories.  Gary was preceded in death by his father, Harold Mueller. He is survived by his wife Vicki Rova Mueller, his mother Carol (Pat Thomson), his brother Russ Mueller, his mother-in-law Marian Rova, brother-in-law John Rova (Kathi Chapman), sisters-in-law Karen Bow (Terry) and Marsha Rova (Scott Morgan), nieces Jennie Griek (Forrest), Julia Beerbower (Brian), nephews Victor Morgan and Erik Morgan, great niece Svea Griek, great nephews Axel and Anders Griek and the best cat ever, Gifford.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Gary at 1:00 pm on Sunday, December 4th at The Palace Ballroom (2100 Fifth Avenue) in Seattle. Memorial donations can be made to the Gary Mueller Scholarship Fund at WSU School of Design + Construction (http://sdc.wsu.edu/give/).