Obituary

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the loss of our dad, Rick. On November 6th Rick passed away peacefully at home with his son and daughter-in-law by his side at the age of 77. Rick was born in Manchester, England to Bert and  Beatrice. He moved to Custer before his first birthday. He lost both of his parents at a young age and was raised by his paternal grandmother Maude Graves.

Rick graduated from Ferndale High School in 1963 (Go Eagles) where he played football, wrestled, and ran track. He was then drafted into the Army in 1966, where he served as an Air Traffic Control Officer. He returned to the United States after battling in the Vietnam War in 1968 and retired from the Army with an honorable discharge in 1969.

On May 13, 1969, Rick married the love of his life Gloria. Rick was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gloria in 2021. He leaves behind his Aunt Charlotte Whitley (101 yrs old) of Bellingham, his brother Grant {Bobbie} Graves, 3 sons, Robert {Erin}, Rick {Cathie} Patrick and Ron {Mandi} Graves. He had 10 grandchildren: Whitney, Micah, Kaitlyn {Mark}, Jordan {Kelsey}, Alex, Tanner {Keeley}, Brady, Broc (his little buddy), Austin and Abby, 4 great-grandchildren Paityn, Evelyn, Olivia, & Samuel, who all loved him so much and will miss him greatly.

Rick (aka “Shakey” to his friends and coworkers) retired from Georgia Pacific (GP) in 2007 after 42 years of employment. Rick loved to golf with friends, hunt, and fish with many friends and family. He loved playing online Texas Holdem with people from all over. This past summer was his 60th class reunion, he stayed in contact with several classmates.

We will be laying both Rick and Gloria to rest together at the same time. 

This will be a military service in honor of Rick’s duty in the Army and the time he served in the Vietnam War.

December 1st, 2023 at 1 o’clock

Woodlawn Cemetery 

5877 Northwest Dr.

Ferndale Wa. 98240