John Michael Kuronene of Aberdeen died at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, Sunday, February 23, 2013 following a brief illness. Michael was born October 1, 1934 at Hoquiam General Hospital to George and Sophie (Walkama) Kuronen. He grew up in South Aberdeen and remembered a happy and active childhood where the busy life a boy involved climbing trees with cousin Dave Furford, rowing boats on the Chehalis River with cousin Bill Walkama, riding bikes and hitching rides to the beach or to Lake Sylvia. He felt the freedom and active life enjoyed by the young men of that time led to adulthood of adventure and accomplishment.
Mike was confident he held the Stevens School record for ditching kindergarten by managing to avoid getting on the bus for school for a documented total of 52 days; he felt it more important to spend the day exploring the woods or playing near the slough. He atoned for this inattention to formal education by graduating from Weatherwax High School with the class of 1952, Grays Harbor College and the University of Washington with a BA in Philosophy, BS and MS in Ceramic Engineering. His work centered on Advanced Research & Development of thin film microelectronics, a field where he held several patents, and earned numerous awards. He also developed and taught manufacturing methods for these sophisticated devices. Retirement gave him time to paint and explore other areas of art. A favorite of these was papermaking, which he thoroughly enjoyed teaching to a grade school class.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, the former Elizabeth Armstrong, daughters Sheryl Palmer of Atlanta, GA, Michele Dwyer (Jack) of Montesano and Alison Kuronen of Johnson City, TN, eight grandchildren and three great-grandsons. His brother, Kenneth (Garnet) Kuronen of Elma and sister, Irene (Stanley) Terry of Tacoma also survive: a brother, Dauno, predeceased him.
At his request there will be no services; a family gathering of remembrance will take place at a later date.
A message of condolence or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Grays Harbor College Chokers
University of Washington
Weatherwax High School Bobcats
The insignias listed here may be subject to copyright and / or trademarked. Those copyrights and trademarks are owned by the respective organizations. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Kuronen, please visit our flower store.
Mike was confident he held the Stevens School record for ditching kindergarten by managing to avoid getting on the bus for school for a documented total of 52 days; he felt it more important to spend the day exploring the woods or playing near the slough. He atoned for this inattention to formal education by graduating from Weatherwax High School with the class of 1952, Grays Harbor College and the University of Washington with a BA in Philosophy, BS and MS in Ceramic Engineering. His work centered on Advanced Research & Development of thin film microelectronics, a field where he held several patents, and earned numerous awards. He also developed and taught manufacturing methods for these sophisticated devices. Retirement gave him time to paint and explore other areas of art. A favorite of these was papermaking, which he thoroughly enjoyed teaching to a grade school class.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, the former Elizabeth Armstrong, daughters Sheryl Palmer of Atlanta, GA, Michele Dwyer (Jack) of Montesano and Alison Kuronen of Johnson City, TN, eight grandchildren and three great-grandsons. His brother, Kenneth (Garnet) Kuronen of Elma and sister, Irene (Stanley) Terry of Tacoma also survive: a brother, Dauno, predeceased him.
At his request there will be no services; a family gathering of remembrance will take place at a later date.
A message of condolence or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Grays Harbor College Chokers
University of Washington
Weatherwax High School Bobcats
The insignias listed here may be subject to copyright and / or trademarked. Those copyrights and trademarks are owned by the respective organizations. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Kuronen, please visit our flower store.
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