More Skagit County shooting victims remembered

David Radcliffe of Mount Vernon

David Radcliffe, one of the two construction workers killed in Tuesday's rampage, was a scholar and a carpenter, a golf player and a champion of the downtrodden.

His friend and fellow builder, Mike Adkinson, said Radcliffe owned a construction company and was a gifted designer and builder.

Originally from Bellingham, the 57-year-old Radcliffe had lived in Mount Vernon for the last 20 years or so, Adkinson said.

Although Radcliffe had a degree in sociology from the University of Washington and ended up in construction, he didn't feel like his years of scholarship went to waste.

"He was very glad he had the background and the opportunity," said Adkinson.

Adkinson said Radcliffe was from a "wonderful, wonderful family" and that he was a devoted husband, son, brother and father.

"He was a quiet giant. He was bright and aware but not flashy or assuming," said Adkinson. "He was absolutely committed to his family and his friends. He had a lot of opinions and thoughts about a lot of things, but he wouldn't lay it on people."

Adkinson said that Radcliffe traveled with him to Japan, where they designed log homes, and that Radcliffe taught him a lot about construction and the building industry. "He never complained, even if I called late at night when he was tired."

A couple of weeks ago, Adkinson and Radcliffe tied for second in a scramble golf tournament in Oak Harbor. "We thought we did pretty well for a couple of old codgers," Adkinson said.

Adkinson, who has a graduate degree in mental health from the University of Missouri, said his friend would have wanted his death to make a difference.

"He would have wanted me to seize on this," Adkinson said. "We have to take a look at the mental health situation in our state and the lack of places for people to go who need help with their offspring or spouses. This is an absolute tragedy."

Greg Gillum of Mount Vernon

Greg Gillum, the other slain construction worker, will be remembered for his kindness and the love he had for his children — son Ryan, 15, and daughter Megan, 10.

"Even with total strangers, he'd offer them money, the shirt off his back," said Brigid Gillum, his sister-in-law.

Born and raised in California, Gillum, 38, was one of seven children, including a twin brother, Jeffery. Much of his family relocated to this area ahead of him, with Gillum settling in the Mount Vernon area about two years ago, according to his stepfather, Gordon Winblad.

Gillum had worked in construction for much of his life, doing everything except plumbing and electrical work, said his family.

"He's done 1,000 roofs," Jeffery Gillum said.

Gillum had been working on the home-remodeling project in Alger only a short time, his stepfather said. "For him, it was just being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

His stepfather recalled that Gillum had a good sense of humor. "Greg was a funny guy. He always clowned through high school," Winblad said, adding that even as adults the twins were nearly indistinguishable — except that Jeff usually wore his baseball cap with the brim facing forward, while Greg usually wore his backward.

The family said they didn't know the full details of what took place Tuesday, but hope the tragedies will be more fully explained, perhaps by the suspect himself.

Chester "Chet" Rose of Alger

Chester "Chet" Rose, 58, was someone neighbors could turn to for any kind of help.

"He was a very nice person — the sort of person if you needed something, he'd be there," said Barbara Crossen, who lives on Rose's street.

A contractor, Rose owned the Silver Creek Construction Company.

Neighbors said Rose, who was divorced, had lived on the Alger property for more than two decades and had two adult daughters.

Dave Florian, a neighbor and retired plumber who raised his kids alongside Rose's, described Rose as being an active parent and "real down-to-earth and easy to get along with."

He said the Rose family used to have horses on their land and that Chet Rose was a sports fan who went to neighbors' houses to watch football and basketball.

"I'm really sad, especially about my buddy Chet," said Florian.