Raynor W. Christianson, age 83

Raynor W. Christianson of Vashon Island, Washington, 83, passed away on August 23, 2025, at his home after a short fight with cancer.

Raynor was born in Santa Monica, California, to Walt and Margaret Christianson of Pacific Palisades, California. In 1966, Raynor married Nicole Lenox and they moved north to the Bay area. They lived on a sailboat and in a mountain cabin until their daughter was a toddler then moved to the suburbs and had their son.

Raynor worked in the computer industry his entire career. Jobs took him and his young family to Oregon and then to Washington.

He enjoyed skiing, bicycling and windsurfing, but especially loved going to movies, reading books and playing bridge. After Nicole passed away, in 2005, he started earning his Master points and eventually became a Bronze Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League. In 2008 he moved to Vashon Island and lived the rest of his life there with his companion of 18 years, Mary Van Gemert, where he also ran the island’s bridge club. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle man with a fantastic sense of humor.

He is survived by his daughter Terra Christianson, son Peter Christianson, brother David Christianson, sister Meg Christianson, grandkids Grayson, Ava and Lenox, nieces and nephews, companion Mary VanGemert, and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at Vashon Center for the Arts. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Seattle Union Gospel Mission.

The family would like to thank the lovely Vashon community members, friends at the Senior Center, and a very special thank you to our hospice team Margaret, Isabel and Paula, and our amazing caregivers Elizabeth and Dawn.