Clair Schouten

Clair Schouten, age 82, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Bellingham, WA. Clair was born on August 22, 1943, in Bellingham, WA, to Arie and Alyda (Kok) Schouten, and grew up on the family dairy farm in Lynden. He graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1961. After high school, Clair moved to Bellflower, California, and met his future bride, Corrie Vander Laan. On November 26, 1971, they married in Chino, California. They moved back to Whatcom County shortly afterwards, and they raised their two sons near their family business north of Everson. Clair owned his welding business, C&C Welding, for 27 years before his early retirement in 2000. After retirement, Clair & Corrie spent 8 years travelling across the U.S. in their RV. They then split their time between their bay view condo in Bellingham and winters in Yuma, AZ.

Clair was a quiet, gentle-hearted man with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed driving muscle cars in his youth. He was a big fan of the Huskies, Seahawks and SuperSonics, and tolerated the mediocre Mariners. He loved his kids, grandkids, extended family and friends in Whatcom County and Yuma, AZ and he will be missed by so many! Clair was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Dominic Andersen; his siblings Anna Margaret, Adrian John, and Jane Edna; his sister-in-law Myra Schouten; and his brothers-in-law Ron Ferguson and Vern McCauley. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Corrie Schouten; his sons Craig (Jennifer) Schouten and Chad Schouten; his granddaughter Ava Schouten; his granddog Daisy; his siblings Hilbert Schouten, Marion (Marsha) Schouten, Anna Mae Ferguson, John (Jane) Schouten, Audrey McCauley, Alyda (Duane) Dykstra, Arlo (Charlotte) Schouten; his in-laws Tina (Jim) Vander Veen, Martin Vander Laan, Bruce (Kiki) Vander Laan and numerous relatives and friends. Memorial donations may be made to Dominic’s Closet, 2950 Newmarket St, Suite 101-300, Bellingham, WA 98226. At Clair’s request no services will be held.