Bernard Joseph LeTourneau

Bernard Joseph LeTourneau Jr. was born in Aberdeen, Washington on March 8, 1946. He passed away September 14, 2013 at Swedish Edmonds Hospital at age 67 from liver disease. His death was preceded by the death of his first wife, Linda Hill, his second wife, Marci Barringer, and his longtime partner, Catherine Kay Harasen. Named after his father, Bernard Jr. was raised in Longview, Washington. His mother, Florine, gave him the nickname Buzzy, later Buzz, as he was an active child she said was constantly buzzing around. From this early childhood, the name stuck and friends and family referred to Bernard Jr. as Buzz. Buzz attended Saint Martins High School in Lacey, Washington, where he first cut hair for money, after his father taught him to cut hair at age 13. After graduating high school, Buzz attended his fathers beauty school (Bernards Beauty College) in Longview, earning his cosmetology license in 1965. That year he travelled briefly to California where he also earned a license. He moved to Walla Walla, Washington where he got his first job as a stylist at a shop located inside the Bon March department store. During this time, Buzz served in the Army Reserve (1967-1971). It was in the Army, cooking for hundreds of soldiers, where Buzz developed his skills as a cook. In Walla Walla he met Linda Hill and they married in 1968. They lived for a brief period in Longview and then parts of Seattle, before moving to Edmonds, Washington in 1971, to the house where Buzz would reside for the next 42 years. In 1973, Buzz and Linda had a son. They divorced in 1975, and Linda moved with their son to Vancouver, Washington. Buzz married Marci Barringer in 1978, and the two had a son in 1980, divorcing in 1983. During their time together, Buzz and Marci enjoyed many sailing trips throughout Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Buzz began his hobby of woodworking, constructing many things for friends and family and building much of the furniture in his house. In the late-1980s, Buzz met Catherine Kay Harasen, who was his partner for 23 years before passing away from cancer in April 2013. Together they enjoyed the company of friends and family, and traveling to locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and parts of Europe. Buzz spent the majority of his professional career working at salons he owned and operated. The first salon he opened was located in Northgate Shopping Mall, relocating to a larger shop on Roosevelt Way in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of North Seattle. Buzz would often visit the homes or care facilities of his most loyal clients to do their hair after they were no longer mobile enough to visit his shop. During the last ten years, Buzz continued to style and cut hair for his favorite customers at a home salon in his house in Edmonds. Buzz will always be remembered for his jovial spirit and eagerness to share jokes, stories and information (on where to find the best deals), not to mention a good meal, with those close to him. He kept the freezer stocked so he could put a delicious prime rib roast, grilled ribs, crab or other great dish on the on a short notice. Buzz is survived by his children Alain LeTourneau (Pam) and Teague LeTourneau (Sarah); his brothers Brian LeTourneau (Joan), Jaffe LeTourneau (Sara) and Chal LeTourneau (Lisa); two nieces, a nephew and many cousins.