April 10, 1964 – February 28, 2026

Tami K. (Yates) Vogel passed at her home in Blaine, WA, on February 28, 2026. She was the wife of Jim Vogel and daughter of the late Fred and June (Cook) Yates of Blaine.

Born April 10, 1964, in Bellingham, WA, Tami grew up boating and hiking in the Pacific Northwest and spending cherished summers at Camp Firwood on Lake Whatcom, where she formed lifelong friendships. During the winters, she home-schooled while traveling with her parents throughout the Southwest, Mexico, and Portugal, experiences that shaped her independence and love of adventure.

After graduating from Blaine High School in 1982, Tami attended SST Travel Academy in San Diego and launched her career. In 1984, she joined the early team at America West Airlines, working as a flight attendant and embracing the energy of a growing airline. She later returned to the Pacific Northwest, working with Mutual Travel before founding Portside Cruises & Tours in 1992, an agency specializing in land and sea adventures.

An avid skiers, Tami met her husband, Jim, in Whistler, a cherished place for them, as they were later engaged and married there. The couple moved to Colorado in 2004, embracing mountain life with energy and enthusiasm, initially in Evergreen then up to their serene home in Keystone with countless ski days, hikes, and gatherings with loved ones.

They joined the Dillon Yacht Club, sailed Gunner’s Mate in local regattas (an excuse to enjoy the post-race parties), and volunteered as Mountain Hosts at Keystone. Great times with new and old friends in the high country. The couple soon expanded their sailing with adventures to British Columbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and Turkey. Steady as she goes!

Following a surgery 2017, Tami began spending part of each year in Lagos, Portugal, embracing a plant-based lifestyle and integrative health practices. She faced cancer with remarkable courage and resilience, meeting each challenge with determination, grace, and optimism – celebrating each of her eight “victories” with adventures from parachuting in high school to spa days in the Dolomites in 2024.

In her final season, Tami returned to Blaine to be surrounded by dear friends and family. She savored simple joys like sailing the San Juans, baking with her grandchildren, and watching sunsets over Semiahmoo Bay, always planning her next adventure. Tami was never shy to share laughter, an opinion, or literature she thought might help others. Until the very end, her beauty and infectious energy remained, along with her sense of humor and quick wit.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Jim; her daughter, Valerie Zediker of Seattle; her niece (like a daughter), Brandi Miller of Denver; stepchildren Athena Vogel, Phil Vogel, and Jack Vogel; grandchildren Henry, Linus, Alice, and Ollie; and her sister Sharon Mixer. Her sister, Sandi Jackson, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on March 19, 2026, at Dillon Community Church in Dillon, followed by interment at Dillon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Firwood’s scholarship fund.