Obituary of Richard LaVern Rakestraw

Richard LaVern Rakestraw Born: January 10, 1933 Dies: February 2, 2010 A gentle man Greatly loved Richard was unbeatable. Richard (Dick) was a man of dedication, action and relationships. A fine son, husband, father, brother, Marine, friend, Foster parent for Children‘s Home Society and BSA Leader, Troop 407 of Kent. Dick was an artist shown in his profession and his hobbies: photography, wood carving and his love of color and form in nature and birds. Speaking of unbeatable he worked 35 years as an artist at the Boeing Company (Aeromechanic Union, District 751) Dick wooed and married the love of his life Anne Bernice Eide Rakestraw. Happily Dick and Anne celebrated their fiftieth anniversary on November 30, 2009 with a party for 108 friends and family. He was proud of his defense of our country as teen aged Marine in the Korean Conflict. Wartime left him injured, repaired and then back to the war. In war or at home Dick never let another person or patriot do for him what he felt was his own responsibility. Dick raised his family with love and generosity. He gave of his time and his art freely to family and friends. One of his best friends and his long time fishing companion was his late mother-in-law, Mama Claire Eide. All of the Eide’s became Dick’s family. His other, and his best friends, were the Louise Eide and the late Judge Donald A. Eide. Dick made many effective and artistic campaign(s) signs for Don. Dick was preceded in death by his son Richard, his parents and his in-laws Orville J. Eide, Donald A. Eide and Kelly Jordan Surviving family are his wife Anne and his children: Jerry, Casey, Susan and John. There are fifteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. His close family are Betty Varcoe, Shirley Arnold and Marlene and Keith Rodarmel and their families. Dick is also survived by his in-laws (who are also his close family) Donna (Morris) Foss, Ben (Dee) Eide, Victoria (Lyle) Whiteman and many loving nephews and nieces. He enjoyed traveling in his motor home with his wife Anne and other members of the family. Thus, we like to think of him driving sedately down the road, however, in reality his driving was not sedate. Dick was a man who lived and died defying all odds. War, hardships and illness all came his way and were conquered until the final battle. Richard died at home literally in the arms of his beloved, his wife Anne. Also present at the end were his great friends Jim and Marianne Nelson. Keep your pedal to metal Dick and know your spirit lives on in each of us who knew you well but not nearly long enough. Please no flowers and send gifts to a charity of your choice. Readers please add your comments, the family would enjoy reading your memories.