Joel Robert Bonds, 65, passed away suddenly from a coronary arterial thrombosis in Clearlake, Calif., on July 21, 2013.

Joel was born in Berkeley, Calif., on August 17, 1947, to Scott W. and Catherine O. Bonds.

He lived and attended schools in Berkeley before his family moved to Palm Springs in 1964, where he graduated from high school in 1965.

His interests early in life included swimming, sailing, water skiing, snow skiing, Judo, camping and hiking. He was an assistant scoutmaster working with the Boy Scout troop at St. Teresa School and scoutmaster of a troop at Katherine Finchy School.

Joel was an active member of the Palm Springs Jaycees helping on many civic projects including the annual Fourth of July fireworks shows, Big Toys installations at three of the Palm Springs city parks, and renovations for the Palm Springs Historical Society.

Joel attended College of the Desert then Calhoon MEBA Engineering School in Baltimore, Md. After serving on merchant ships for two years, with trips to Vietnam and South America, Joel returned to College of the Desert completing an AA degree.

He attended farriers’ school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before starting a career as a building contractor working with his father, Scott, and brother-in law, Jim Stevens. As Bonds Properties, they built homes in Palm Springs between 1970 and 1980.

He married Marilyn Diann Riordan on June 18, 1972, moving to Olympia, Wash., in 1980 with sons Christopher and Timothy. Son Noah was born in Olympia.

Joel continued working as a contractor doing remodeling work, he owned and operated Tacoma Bicycle for five years, and he worked for various building related businesses in the Olympia area.

Following their divorce in 1992 he moved to Roseburg, Ore., and finally returned to his beloved Clear Lake. Joel was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Konocti Bay Sailing Club, and volunteered many hours at the Calvary Church in Clearlake.

Hobbies included traveling by cruise ships and trains, boating, sailing, swimming, visiting the neighbors, being an animal lover, feeding the ducks, helping others and getting a good deal.

A natural artist he could provide a donkey for birthday party games in a few minutes. He loved sermons with exemplifying stories.

He couldn’t help giving – always, in whatever situation he found himself. His strove to follow the scout motto, “Be Prepared” and he lived by the “Golden Rule.”

Joel was exquisitely rare, complex and highly intelligent, living by profound principles and ideals and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his three sons, Christopher (Kristi) and grandchildren Katelyn and Camden, Timothy, (Sara), grandchildren Zena and Luke Sol, and Noah (Angela); his sister, Jana Bonds Stevens (James); nephew, Kasey (Erin) Stevens; nieces, Whitney Stevens (Daniel Walter) and Hayley Stevens; and cousins, James Van Ness (Arlene); Richard Van Ness and Judith Van Tassell. He also leaves behind his friend and companion Laure’ Zabek.

He has gone to be with the Lord and those that preceded him, his brother Gerald and loving parents Catherine and Scott.

A celebration of life service will be at Calvary Chapel, Clearlake at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2.