"I received Gary?s email on December 22nd, telling of Phil?s death earlier in the month. The news shocked me to my core. Phil was one of those rare people whose presence was bigger than life. A person one assumes will go on forever. I met Phil the spring of 1977. We were both working at the warehouse that supplied the Northgate J.C. Penney store with merchandise. A new movie had just been released titled ?Star Wars.? I personally had no interest in viewing a ?Cowboys and Indians? movie based in outer space. However, while at work, Phil bombarded me with all things Star Wars: scene set up, dialogue, plot, who were the good guys, who were the bad guys. He was so enthusiastic in his description of the film, I decided to take a chance, drive to downtown Seattle, and see the film. And yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Star Wars. From then on, I began to truly value Phil?s opinion on a host of subjects. We didn?t always agree, but more often than not, we did. I consider Phil one of the closest friends I ever had. We did a lot between 1976 and 1995 when my family moved from Bothell to Loveland, CO. Some of my most cherished memories include; purchasing Phil and Vicki?s house on Finn Hill in 1979, so that they could move into a newly constructed house around the corner and back up in the woods, training for and completing a number of 10K runs, taking long walks in the rain and talk about our dreams, how lucky we were to have the wives and children that we did, and to share our troubles. My perception is that Phil was never satisfied working for others. He preferred to call the shots and let the results speak for themselves. I think this mindset led to his creation of Destiny Distributors in 1986 (that, and his love for comic books). Other attributes that come to mind when I think of Phil; ? His generous heart toward others ? His quick smile ? His loyalty to friends ? His willingness to lend a hand to complete a task ? His skill around a barbecue grill ? His artistry ? His love for all things Disney ? Sitting on the deck of the big house overlooking the Snohomish River and watching hot air ballons drift by May God bless Vicki, Gary, family and friends with comfort and peace in this time of loss. "
In loving memory of
Philip Alexander Pankow
November 12, 1950 - December 4, 2024
Philip "Phil" Alexander Pankow passed away on December 4, 2024, at the age of 74. Born on November 12, 1950, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho, Phil was the fifth of eight children born to Margaret and Alexander Pankow.
In the summer of 1966, Phil's family relocated from Boise to Seattle, Washington. It was there that he began his sophomore year at O'Dea High School and formed lifelong friendships with Tom Monahan and Mike Greene. Phil later attended Seattle University, where he earned a degree in Art--a reflection of his deep appreciation for creativity and beauty.
In 1973, Phil married the love of his life, Vicki Pankow, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Seattle. Together they built a partnership that spanned over five decades, serving as a shining example of enduring love and commitment through life's many challenges and triumphs. Their marriage was marked by shared adventures and unwavering support for one another.
Phil was an entrepreneur at heart. In 1986, he founded Destiny Distributors in Kenmore--a groundbreaking comic book distribution company that became known for its exceptional customer service and innovation within the industry. Under Phil's leadership, Destiny Distributors expanded internationally with warehouses in both the United States and Canada, setting new standards in logistics and distribution. Throughout his career, Phil excelled in various roles across delivery, construction, and logistics--fields where his natural talents shone brightly.
A man of many passions, Phil had a lifelong love for comic books and art. He studied the works of master artists and painted during his youth. He also found joy in nature--whether hiking through trails or braving winter storms on the beach with wind and rain swirling around him. His adventurous spirit extended to travel; he took pride in providing memorable vacations for his family to destinations like Disneyland and Disney World while also exploring places such as England, Memphis, Baltimore, and beyond through his work and curiosity about the world.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Alexander Pankow; as well as his brothers Michael and Paul. He is survived by his devoted wife Vicki; their son Gary and daughter-in-law Anne; grandchildren Sam, Elly, and M.J.; sisters Margie, Therese, Cathy, Ruth; brother Mark; and countless others whose lives he touched with kindness and generosity.
A funeral service will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Snohomish to honor Phil's life and legacy.
Phil's memory will live on through those who knew him best--his family, friends, colleagues--and all who were inspired by his creativity, determination, and love for life's simple joys. May his legacy bring comfort to those who mourn his passing while celebrating a life well-lived.
Tributes
"I am deeply touched to find that Phil has passed on. Phil was a good friend for many years. He taught me so much about a lot of things but most importantly he taught me about life. He was never afraid to explore new and unknown fields, virtually anything that caught his interest. When I met him our young kids were growing up. He pitched in and helped me build a fence around our new house. That was Phil. Anything to help his friends. I watched him transform himself from working in the scaffolding field to starting up Destiny Distributors where he could explore his real love for art and creating his own business. Phil taught himself about many things, including becoming a very good racquetball player. We had many a spirited game. His fun side included so many things like John Wayne movies and science fiction writing. Phil was a very special man. "
"My deepest sympathies Vicki and family. I so enjoyed working with Phil at Intermec and the years of friendship that followed. May you have blessings of special memories during this difficult time. Love and hugs to you."