Richard Lee Newell, 80, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away surrounded by his children on Sunday, December 23, 2012. He was born on November 24, 1932 in Yakima, Washington the son of Ella and James Newell. Dick and his family moved to Seattle in 1935.
Dick joined the Air Force in January 1951 and worked as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. Upon discharge in November 1954 he attended the University of Washington. While at University he played for the football team. He enjoyed playing baseball in the local leagues and was very competitive.
On March 23, 1957 he was united in marriage to Shirley Mae Hannafious and they made their home in the Seattle area until moving to Sedro-Woolley in 1968.
Dick worked for Seattle City Light prior to moving to Sedro-Woolley, he then worked for Puget Power as a lineman. He worked in Skagit Valley, Bellingham and Oak Harbor. Dad was always willing to go out in the middle of a storm to help his surrounding community. His children fondly remember when he put the lights on the community Christmas Tree in Sedro-Woolley. He retired from Puget Power in 1994.
Dick enjoyed spending time in the woods on his tractor, reading and traveling with his wife. The family enjoyed spending time at Lake Pearrygin every summer. Dick and Shirley traveled several places including Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. One of their special memories together was traveling through the Panama Canal.
He is survived by his children, Vickie Newell, Karen Newell, Michael (Teresa) Newell, Susan (Evan) Ackermann, Kelly Gomez and Jennifer (Luke) Johnson. His grandchildren, Heather (Ryan) Shipley, Miranda (Michael) Peterson, Misty (Troy) Lenderman, Rachel (Steve) Anshutz, April Newell, Ryan (Christina) Ackermann, USMC Staff Sergeant Tyler (Donna) Ackermann, Kyle (Kelli) Ackermann, Bethany (Jimmy) Collins, Travis Gomez, Victoria Gomez and Kaya Johnson. His great-grandchildren, Makayla, Josh, Anthony, Aiden, Mollie, Mason, Weston, Dillon, Zachary, Benjamin, Kyleena, and Piper. His sisters Pat Eskola and Shirley Tarrant and several nieces and nephews.
He was met in heaven by his wife, Shirley Newell, his parents Ella and James and his brothers Jim and Don. Dad will be greatly missed by his family but we are grateful that are parents are together again.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 11:00am at the Central United Methodist Church located at 1013 Polte Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.
The family request that memorial in memory of Dick be made to the American Cancer Society, 728 134th Street SW, Suite 101, Everett WA 98204.