Richard Melvin Otis
August 15, 1946 - June 24, 2016
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Richard Melvin Otis
August 15, 1946 - June 24, 2016
Obituary
Born 69 years ago, Richard Melvin Otis finally succumbed to the ravages of ALS on Friday, June 24th. He will be sorely missed by so many.
Richard enjoyed a happy childhood, growing up in Bellingham with his brothers, surrounded by many, many friends. Upon graduating from Bellingham HS in 1964, he began working for the Bellingham Herald. Menial tasks led to greater ones, and he ultimately carved out a lengthy career with the local newspaper. This career was interrupted by the Viet Nam War. To do his part, Richard volunteered with the U.S. Air Force and served his country through four turbulent years. Upon discharge, he resumed his work with the Herald, moving into the composing room, where he learned to assemble each page before printing. No one did it better.
In his spare time, Richard hosted a radio show called Buried Treasures. Here he shared with listeners his love for records of the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s.
To his great delight, Richard came to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior. This brought him great joy for many years and served to inspire and uplift him all the way to the end of his bodily existence.
Richard is survived by his wife Camille, his daughter Holly Otis & partner Kenneth Prince, his daughter Amanda Henderson, husband Justin & their sons, Ezekiel and Judah. Also surviving are his brothers Bob and Ron.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 1st at 11am at Moles Farewell Tributes, Bellingham (2465 Lakeway Drive) followed by a reception.
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: July 1, 2016 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes- Bellingham
- Location: 2465 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) -73-3-0510
11 responses to Richard Melvin Otis
Loxie Fiedler Ayers says:
June 24, 2016
I first knew Dick in Sunnyland, and then through Whatcom and BHS. He was always the nicest guy with a great, friendly smile. It has been great to reconnect with Dick through the years via grade school pizza dinners and BHS functions. My thoughts and prayers to his family. I wish him peace and Godspeed on his journey. He will be missed.
Loxie Fiedler Ayers says:
June 24, 2016
I first knew Dick in Sunnyland, and then through Whatcom and BHS. He was always the nicest guy with a great, friendly smile. It has been great to reconnect with Dick through the years via grade school pizza dinners and BHS functions. My thoughts and prayers to his family. I wish him peace and Godspeed on his journey. He will be missed.
Carol Colpitts says:
June 24, 2016
I have known Dick since Sunnyland Elementary School. Fortunately, we have had some Sunnyland gettogethers in recent years that enabled some good visits with Dick.
My condolences to Dick’s family. He will be greatly missed.
Rochelle Pope McDonald says:
June 24, 2016
I first met Dick when he was our family newspaper delivery person back in the my high school days. He and I would “chat” occasionally since we attended/graduated BHS 64 together. He probably even talked my brothers into becoming deliveryman as well. He was always friendly and had a great smile. He will be missed.
Larry Westman says:
June 24, 2016
To the Dick Otis Family,
You have lost your husband and your father and I am grieving because I have lost one of my best friends. Dick and I met when we were in 1st grade. He and Jimmy Godding and John Wiseman, during the summertime, when you saw one of us you saw all of us. Riding bikes, playing in each others backyards or with Dick’s dad upstairs with big trains that he had. Junior High came and we split up because my family moved out of the area for a few years. Then in high school we went to football and basketball games together and the dances were so bad that Linda Reid, Pam Dickey and I started having Friday and Saturday night dances at each others houses that lasted 5 years. Then my parents and I during the summertime rent a cabin at Birch Bay and all the kids would show up. My dad would get annoyed, he wanted to have his vacation, so we would have to go back to Orcas Island to the park. After we got out of the service, our friendship reconnected. The last few years (4 or 5) a lot of us grown kids, would get together 3 or 4 times a year, and take the back room of Round Table Pizza and hang out, have pizza and close the place down. What a wonderful life! I miss him! Camille has been so good to him these last few months with his ALS. To all of our friends from childhood since 1952, some a few years younger, thank you for our continued friendship, life goes on with one less friend or brother. Wish you well Dick! See you soon! I treasure our long, long friendship and may it continue.