Richard “Dick” Kenneth Rico, 72, died unexpectedly May 2, 2021, at the UW Medical Center in Seattle, of complications from lymphoma. He was a resident of Toledo, Wash., for the last 46 years.
Dick leaves behind Mary, his wife of 51 years; three daughters, Lyndsie (Dan) Winter of Montesano, Amanda (Kurt) Olson of Napavine, and Natasha (Jeremy) Landram of Rainier; as well as eight grandchildren, Mackenzie, Mollie, Keith, Sam, Addison, Brody, Beckett, and Piper. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, June Concannon; brothers, Ed, Allen, and Don Rico; sister, Cindy Rico; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike and Carol O’Connell, and Robyn and Dennis Overbay; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
Dick was born Jan. 6, 1949, to Kenneth and Lorraine (Howell) Rico in Toledo, Ore. The oldest of five children, he spent his youth in Oregon and Hawaii until the family moved to Mossyrock, Wash. It was there he met 12 year old Mary O'Connell, which lead to a beautiful 58 year journey. He graduated from Mossyrock High School in 1967, and then Western Washington State College in 1971.
Dick proposed to Mary in a letter asking if she wanted to get married "sometime". Dick and Mary were married June 13, 1970, at Sacred Heart Church in Morton. He worked for Weyerhaeuser for 32 years, retiring in 2005. His hobbies included mule riding, hunting and fishing, cutting wood and tending to his picturesque lawn. His passion and love were his girls and eight grandchildren. A prouder Dad and “Papa” you will never meet. Dick was fiercely proud of his family and his world revolved around them. His legacy is immense and one that will be carried on through generations.
You could usually find Dick in his Romeos and a Hickory shirt drinking a Pepsi while attending a game or activity of one of his grandkids. He was a great story teller and connected with people from all walks of life. He loved the outdoors and spent months preparing for his annual hunting trips. He usually came home empty-handed, but always made great memories.
Dick’s celebration of life will be held at the Mossyrock High School football field (please bring a lawn chair) at 12 p.m., Sunday, May 30, 2021, followed by a light lunch at the Mossyrock Community Center. The family would love to have your memories or funny stories so please email them in advance to David Pritchard at david.pritchard88@gmail.com. In lieu of flower, please consider a donation to: JDRF Pacific Northwest Chapter, 1215 Fourth Ave., Ste. 1100, Seattle, WA 98161. In memory of Richard Rico #teambeckett.
www.firlawnfuneralchapel.com/
