Richard Gordon Peterson
Richard Gordon Peterson died on March 7, 2017, at the age of 79, of complications from mesenteric ischemia.
He is survived by his sister Patricia Davey of Salem OR, and Maggie.
Dick always wanted a father and all that went with it.
Photography became important to him: he was a high school photographer, and worked in a camera shop. Joining the Air Force, took Dick to the East Coast, Hawaii, Arizona, and Alaska; he was a survival instructor. Eventually, an interest in boats included work in retail sports equipment, marine sales and service. Finally, this pursuit landed him in Seattle at Ray Marine. From there to Sequim for a well-earned retirement. Following, came his skill in wood working and making acrylic pens, which he enjoyed selling, and giving to friends.
Two wire-haired dachshunds, Puffin and Murphy, ran his household, and snuggled up to Dick in his pain.
He and his wife Maggie had lived in Sequim for 9 years. They were planning to celebrate the big 80 together in May/June.
Jean May Miller Thompson Hicks
June 1, 1924 – March 11, 2017
Jean was born in Casper, WY. She tells of a happy childhood growing up “wild” in rural Lander, Wyoming. She once said that despite the Depression she never knew they were poor as they always had plenty to eat including venison, quail, duck, trout and other local critters and produce from her Aunt’s Farm. Grandpa had a working gold mine close to Lander as well as a second-hand shop in town. As a youngster Jean was the cook at the mine when not in school.
While Jean was in elementary school, her mother, Margaret Clark Miller, contracted TB and was sent to a sanitarium in Thermal, WY for treatment. During that year Jean remained in Lander with her Grandfather helped by a family friend, known as “Old Watson”. Her mother, studied Dental Hygiene and they moved to Chicago where she completed her studies at Northwestern University.
Jean attended High School in Chicago. Her mother died while there leaving Jean to fend for herself. It was there that she met John Thompson. High School sweethearts, they married after graduation in 1942. John was accepted into flight training in the US Army Air Corps and the family followed from base to base while he completed flight training. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War 2 and went missing in action in 1951 during the Korean War. Jean and her two children, Ginger and Richard lived with her husband’s family in Daytona, Florida.
A few years later she met George Hicks, a young Army Lieutenant and they were married in 1953. George’s unit was transferred to Beppu, Kyushu, Japan soon after the birth of their first child, Michael. Now an Army family, Jean and her three children followed and thus began her “Tour of the World” taking them from Japan throughout the United States and throughout much of Europe. After George’s retirement from the Army the family settled in Boulder, Colorado, then Traverse City, Michigan, and finally Sequim, WA.
A devout Christian, her deep and abiding faith formed her character and sustained her. She was active in the Episcopal church throughout her life and a devoted member of the Order of the Daughters of the King. She served on the order’s National Board as well as in many offices and on Boards within her Parish and her Diocese, earning the nickname “Mother Superior”. She obtained a degree in Theological Education from the School of Theology of the University of the South.
Jean was the Matriarch of her family, intelligent, capable and strong with a ready smile, a quick wit and a sometime caustic sense of humor. She laughed easily and loved her family dearly. She was a true and lasting friend.
Sadly, Jean outlived both husbands and her three children. She passed away peacefully after a long illness. She is survived by her Son-in-Law Tom, her Grandchildren Tom, Mike and Diana and her Great-grandchildren Aidan and Noelle with whom she lived and whom she loved dearly, as well as her Sisters-In-Law Jeanette and Deborah.
A Celebration of her life will be held at St Luke’s Church, Sequim WA in May.
The family requests that gifts in her name be directed to the Priscilla Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King, c/o St Luke’s Church, Sequim, WA or to The Franciscan Retreat Center, Colorado Springs CO, or to St Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sequim, WA.
Earl Ray Carpenter
January 7, 1936 – February 12, 2017
Earl Ray Carpenter, Jr., 81, also known as “R,” passed away due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
“R” was born in Vicksburg, MS to Earl Ray Carpenter, Sr. and Frances Herrod. He has a sister, Kay Barfield.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Madelyn Carpenter, son Michael Carpenter (wife Brenda), daughter Mitzi Hazard (husband Rick Goudzwaard) all of Sequim, and son David Carpenter of San Francisco; grandsons Patrick and Brendan Carpenter, Riley and Calvin Hazard, granddaughter Colleen Carpenter; and great-grandson Micah Jeremiah Howell.
“R” retired from the USCG in 1977 and served in Vietnam. He worked in security for Bank of America, and owned his own business, JT General Store.
“R” married his sweetheart Madelyn Garbin in Biloxi, MS on 12/2/1961.
“R” was an avid fisherman, a diehard Seahawks fan and loved the Pacific Northwest, and was so happy to move here from California.
“R” was a convert to the Catholic Church. His favorite patron was St. Jude.
The Carpenters would like to thank Assured Hospice for providing excellent care, equipment and nursing staff.
Funeral Mass is on 4/21/2017 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 121 East Maple St, Sequim, with Rosary prior to mass at 11 AM. Reception immediately following at the church.
“R’s” remains will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042.
