Joseph (Joe) Reynold Sundal suddenly passed away Friday, July 10th from a heart attack at home. His passing was unexpected and a complete shock to all.

Joe was born January 22, 1961 to Rey Sundal and Ginger (Syverson) Sundal-Wikmark in Bellingham, WA. His mom called him a “serious child” who arrived ready to take any responsibility thrown his way. Soon, the family moved to Everett, WA and Joe was joined by two siblings, Jim and Janet.

In the fall of 1965, Joe and his family moved to the green and wonderful “Sky-High-La-Ridge” neighborhood in Mukilteo. There they played outside until the streetlights came on, explored the gullies, swam the seaweed-choked beaches and pedaled to the Handi Mart for ice cream and mischief.

Joe attended Rose Hill Elementary, Berg Skole (Trondheim, Norway), Olympic View Middle School, Mariner High School and Pacific Lutheran University where he received a degree in Political Science. In middle and high school, he was the kid sought out for his drumming skills and spent two summers in a band for Snohomish/King County community dances and taverns – they played Styx covers and called themselves, “Equinox.”

Joe didn’t waste any time and took only a month after graduating PLU to marry Kim Nelson. They lived in various north King County locations until their daughter Alyson came along in 1988, and eventually landed in a suburb of Kenmore, WA. Four years later they were joined by the arrival of son Aaron. Both kids supplied Joe with a lifetime of happiness and headaches.

Anyone that knows Joe, knows him for his love of fishing and hunting. He drove one Toyota truck after another with the same personalized plate “2THEHUNT.” Truly, one could say, he was obsessed with the outdoors and was in some ways a modern Hemmingway with his love of “manly” pursuits. The pictures that hang in his house are pretty much dedicated to him showing off his fin, fowl and hoof trophies.

Coming in a close second to outdoor activities was a life-long love of the Seattle Mariners. That crazy team who blew so many good seasons in the waning weeks made his blood percolate like coffee in a pot. Whether Joe was in a $5 bleacher seat or at home in his recliner, he was laser focused on all nine innings, “wait…what…whad’ya say…I’m watching the game right now.”

Joe and Kim migrated to Richland, WA in 2001 so that Joe could manage the state liquor store on G-Way. The family enjoyed the area’s sunnier climate and Joe had a whole new hunting and fishing landscape. They made new friends, settled in and saw their son and daughter graduate from Richland and Hanford High Schools (respectively). But like a lot of folks that marry young and find themselves “empty nesters,” Joe and Kim’s marriage ended in 2014.

Joe remained in Richland and found himself a little house with squeaky floors and a garage big enough for his fishing boat and toys. He worked as a butcher at WinCo and retired with a sigh in the fall of 2024.

Joe is survived by his daughter Alyson, son Aaron, brother Jim and sister Janet (Jay), nephews Phill Sundal, Jacob Sundal, Joe Anderson, Steve Turtadian and niece Elizabeth Roshak . He also leaves behind his beloved pooch, Bella, the ball fetching machine. He is preceded by his mom, Ginger (2020) and dad, Rey (2021).

His children will announce a celebration of life at a later date.