Richard Alvord Obituary
Richard (Rich) Darrell Alvord of Bellingham, WA, passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 88. Rich was born on May 5, 1935, in Bellingham, WA. He graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1953. After high school graduation, and a brief enlistment in the U.S. Army, he went to work at Great Western Lumber where he remained employed until his retirement.
From a young age, Rich enjoyed spending time outdoors, first on the farm in Clearbrook his grandparents tended and then with the Forest Service during his high school summers. There isn't a local mountain peak, river, or 'crick' he couldn't name. In his leisure time he enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing and, in his younger years, hunting, hiking, and a family Sunday drive.
Rich learned carpentry from his grandfather, a skill he enjoyed and utilized throughout his lifetime. There wasn't much he couldn't build, remodel or fix, whether it was expanding the family home in Nooksack or building a wheelchair ramp at Clearbrook Lutheran Church, where he was a longtime member, serving on the church council and in a variety of lay ministry roles.
He was athletic, playing football, basketball, and baseball in his youth and recreational softball throughout his adult years. In his retirement years, he enjoyed watching the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners.
Rich was a kind, caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Mary Challender; his daughters, Kris (Todd) Rightmire and Leslie Winters; his son, Drewe Alvord; his stepchildren, Craig (Meg) Challender and Janice Blackstone; his grandchildren, Tyson and Sophie Rightmire; and his step grandchildren Jacob and Alyssa Blackstone.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Idonna Alvord; his mother, Ethel Alvord; his grandfather, Frederick West; his grandmother, Mary West; and his uncle, Ray West.
Arrangements for a graveside service at Lakeside Cemetery are pending.
Please sign the Book of Memories, light a candle, and leave your condolences for the family at www.JernsFH.com.
Jerns Funeral Home
Richard (Rich) Darrell Alvord of Bellingham, WA, passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 88. Rich was born on May 5, 1935, in Bellingham, WA. He graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1953. After high school graduation, and a brief enlistment in the U.S. Army, he went to work at Great Western Lumber where he remained employed until his retirement.
From a young age, Rich enjoyed spending time outdoors, first on the farm in Clearbrook his grandparents tended and then with the Forest Service during his high school summers. There isn't a local mountain peak, river, or 'crick' he couldn't name. In his leisure time he enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing and, in his younger years, hunting, hiking, and a family Sunday drive.
Rich learned carpentry from his grandfather, a skill he enjoyed and utilized throughout his lifetime. There wasn't much he couldn't build, remodel or fix, whether it was expanding the family home in Nooksack or building a wheelchair ramp at Clearbrook Lutheran Church, where he was a longtime member, serving on the church council and in a variety of lay ministry roles.
He was athletic, playing football, basketball, and baseball in his youth and recreational softball throughout his adult years. In his retirement years, he enjoyed watching the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners.
Rich was a kind, caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Mary Challender; his daughters, Kris (Todd) Rightmire and Leslie Winters; his son, Drewe Alvord; his stepchildren, Craig (Meg) Challender and Janice Blackstone; his grandchildren, Tyson and Sophie Rightmire; and his step grandchildren Jacob and Alyssa Blackstone.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Idonna Alvord; his mother, Ethel Alvord; his grandfather, Frederick West; his grandmother, Mary West; and his uncle, Ray West.
Arrangements for a graveside service at Lakeside Cemetery are pending.
Please sign the Book of Memories, light a candle, and leave your condolences for the family at www.JernsFH.com.
Jerns Funeral Home
Richard Alvord Obituary
Richard (Rich) Darrell Alvord of Bellingham, WA, passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 88. Rich was born on May 5, 1935, in Bellingham, WA. He graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1953. After high school graduation, and a brief enlistment in the U.S. Army, he went to work at Great Western Lumber where he remained employed until his retirement.
From a young age, Rich enjoyed spending time outdoors, first on the farm in Clearbrook his grandparents tended and then with the Forest Service during his high school summers. There isn't a local mountain peak, river, or 'crick' he couldn't name. In his leisure time he enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing and, in his younger years, hunting, hiking, and a family Sunday drive.
Rich learned carpentry from his grandfather, a skill he enjoyed and utilized throughout his lifetime. There wasn't much he couldn't build, remodel or fix, whether it was expanding the family home in Nooksack or building a wheelchair ramp at Clearbrook Lutheran Church, where he was a longtime member, serving on the church council and in a variety of lay ministry roles.
He was athletic, playing football, basketball, and baseball in his youth and recreational softball throughout his adult years. In his retirement years, he enjoyed watching the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners.
Rich was a kind, caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Mary Challender; his daughters, Kris (Todd) Rightmire and Leslie Winters; his son, Drewe Alvord; his stepchildren, Craig (Meg) Challender and Janice Blackstone; his grandchildren, Tyson and Sophie Rightmire; and his step grandchildren Jacob and Alyssa Blackstone.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Idonna Alvord; his mother, Ethel Alvord; his grandfather, Frederick West; his grandmother, Mary West; and his uncle, Ray West.
Arrangements for a graveside service at Lakeside Cemetery are pending.
Please sign the Book of Memories, light a candle, and leave your condolences for the family at www.JernsFH.com.
Jerns Funeral Home
Richard (Rich) Darrell Alvord of Bellingham, WA, passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 88. Rich was born on May 5, 1935, in Bellingham, WA. He graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1953. After high school graduation, and a brief enlistment in the U.S. Army, he went to work at Great Western Lumber where he remained employed until his retirement.
From a young age, Rich enjoyed spending time outdoors, first on the farm in Clearbrook his grandparents tended and then with the Forest Service during his high school summers. There isn't a local mountain peak, river, or 'crick' he couldn't name. In his leisure time he enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing and, in his younger years, hunting, hiking, and a family Sunday drive.
Rich learned carpentry from his grandfather, a skill he enjoyed and utilized throughout his lifetime. There wasn't much he couldn't build, remodel or fix, whether it was expanding the family home in Nooksack or building a wheelchair ramp at Clearbrook Lutheran Church, where he was a longtime member, serving on the church council and in a variety of lay ministry roles.
He was athletic, playing football, basketball, and baseball in his youth and recreational softball throughout his adult years. In his retirement years, he enjoyed watching the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners.
Rich was a kind, caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Mary Challender; his daughters, Kris (Todd) Rightmire and Leslie Winters; his son, Drewe Alvord; his stepchildren, Craig (Meg) Challender and Janice Blackstone; his grandchildren, Tyson and Sophie Rightmire; and his step grandchildren Jacob and Alyssa Blackstone.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Idonna Alvord; his mother, Ethel Alvord; his grandfather, Frederick West; his grandmother, Mary West; and his uncle, Ray West.
Arrangements for a graveside service at Lakeside Cemetery are pending.
Please sign the Book of Memories, light a candle, and leave your condolences for the family at www.JernsFH.com.
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