Obituary

Jack Herrick died Saturday June 11th at the age of 96. Those who knew Jack understand what an amazing man he was and what an amazing life he led.

Born January 29, 1926, he grew up in Arlington, WA. His father, Harol, a locomotive engineer, was killed in a train accident when Jack was a young child. Jack and his mother, Tressa, lived in Arlington through the challenges of the Great Depression. Jack was very industrious from an early age, harvesting crops, working at a sawmill, gas station, Jack took advantage of most any opportunity that came along.

Jack attended Sedro-Woolley High School as was recognized as an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and baseball. It is here he met Edith Anderson. They were married his senior year. Jack graduated in 1944. The couple was married for 66 years before Edith passed away in 2009.

One of Jack’s many hobbies was motorcycling. Beginning in his early teens, motorcycle riding was a favorite. He and Edith would tour the local areas attending various events. Jack also spent appreciable time racing motorcycles around the state including Long Beach and Bellingham’s Hannegan Speedway.

After graduating high school, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was stationed in Texas at Sheppard Field. Soon after, WWII ended and he was Honorably discharged from service as part of the governments Demobilization Plan. He was awarded the American Theater Service Victory Medal and a Medal of Good Conduct.

Jack went to work for the Bellingham Police Department in the early 1950s. While doing so, he also attend Western Washington State College eventually earning both a Bachelor and Master Degree in Education.

Jack found employment with the Bellingham School District and it is there he spent his career as a Science Teacher, Football and Baseball coach primarily at Bellingham High School. Jack was also the Director of Traffic Safety Education for the entire Bellingham School District.

Music had always been an important part of the Herrick family. Jack played a homemade guitar made from a wooden peach box as a young child. The guitar was his instrument of choice mastering not only a standard six-string but also the pedal-steel guitar. He played professionally around Whatcom County for many years in the local clubs like, The Parachute, and The Crystal Palace. Jack also taught guitar lessons at Welks Music in Everett and at Brown and Stone Music in Bellingham.

An avid boater and pilot, Jack became a civilian volunteer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in both the Marine and Aviation divisions beginning in 1967. He served the Auxiliary for forty-five years earning many commendations, service medals as well as a Presidential Unit Citation. He was Flotilla Commander, Division Commander and a Rear Commodore. Jack was a proud American, proud of his military service, proud his auxiliary service and proud of his country.

Jack is survived by his sons Steven (AnaLyn) and Richard (Jennifer), three grandchildren, Bryar Herrick, Genesee Herrick, and Kenny Herrick, his companion and dear friend, Helen Bemis, and his beloved poodle dog, Bitsy.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Edith Herrick, father, Harol Jack Herrick, and mother, Tressa E Harding.

Graveside services at 10:00 am Thursday June 30th. Greenacres Stillwaters. 5700 Northwest Drive Ferndale, WA.

Memorial Service 1:00 pm Thursday June 30th Trinity Lutheran 119 Texas Bellingham, WA.