John Richard Stipe, “Rich,” passed away peacefully on Aug. 8, 2015, while surrounded by family.
Rich was born at the General Hospital in Sequim on Nov. 3, 1942, to Mary Loretta (Miller) and William Lloyd Stipe. Raised on rural farms, Rich milked cows each morning before school with brothers Ron, Bob and Bill. He was a sweet, responsible and successful child who attended Sequim Presbyterian Church, excelled in Boy Scouts to the level of Explorer Scout and also was student body president and Future Farmers of America chapter president the year he graduated from Sequim High School in 1960. Richie was also known for his roles as an active member of the Thespians drama club during his high school years and could be seen cruising around town in his 1949 Plymouth.
At Washington State University in Pullman, Rich joined the Army ROTC. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity for four years. Rich met Carol Cushing during his college years and they married. He was commissioned a second lieutenant after earning a bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1965 and he was sent to Officer Basic Training at Fort Lewis. Rich and Carol then moved to El Paso, Texas, for Rich’s Officer Advanced Training at Fort Bliss. The Army assigned Rich to the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Okinawa where Rich and Carol’s first son Jeffrey was born in 1967.
After leaving the Army, the young Stipe family lived in Washington, Oregon and Illinois. During this time, Rich and Carol were blessed with two more sons, Barry and Jason. They settled in Bellingham, where Rich enjoyed significant success in his professional life. His strong work ethic, respectful business approach and friendly personality earned him the position of general manager of the Whatcom Farmers Co-op. Rich helped develop the business from two stores upon its inception in 1982 to a business with seven retail outlets, two convenience stores and four administration offices throughout the state before he retired.
In 1998, Rich and Jeanne Nelson were married, bringing daughter Kaitlin to the family. A few years later, the addition of daughter Anna also brought Rich great joy. After retiring in 2011 to Arizona, Rich enjoyed raising Anna, reading, hiking, golfing, relaxing at his mountain cabin and re-living his favorite fishing trips throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Rich will be remembered in countless ways: his boisterous laugh, his enjoyment of outdoor activities and, most importantly, his obvious love for his family and friends.
Rich was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Miller Schott; his father, William Lloyd Stipe; his wife, Jeanne; and stepfather Ted Schott. He leaves loving sons Jeffrey (Carolyn), Barry (Monica) and Jason (Amy); daughters Kaitlin Kahl (Heath) and Anna; precious grandchildren Jessi, Jacob, Carollee, Lauren, Sydney, Heather and Natalie; brothers Ron (Candi), Bob (Judy) and Bill (Janet); stepmother Lucy Zuerner; and half-sisters and -brothers Linda Simpson, Elly Reidy, Kristy Cook, Janet Gaio, Mary Lehman, Mike Stipe and Andy Stipe.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. in Sequim Bible Church of Sequim on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Interment and military funeral honors will follow at 11:30 a.m. in Sequim View Cemetery. Additional information can be found by contacting the Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider a donation to The Gleason Initiative Foundation, the ALS Association Arizona Chapter or the Gideon Bible Donation in the name of John Richard Stipe.
