Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Richard Ray (Shorty) Adams Memorial
Richard Ray (Shorty) Adams Memorial

Richard Ray (Shorty) Adams

Richard Ray (Shorty) Adams

Thursday, October 13th, 2016

Richard Ray (Shorty) Adams passed away Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the age of 86. Shorty was born August 18, 1930 in Liberal, Kansas the middle of seven children to Albert and Evelyn Adams.
From 1948 to 1952, Shorty served in the Navy during the Korean War. He sailed on the USS Bon Homme Richard receiving the China Service Medal. In 1951 he met Ethel Moe and they were married February 8, 1952 in Mount Vernon.
Shorty worked for numerous ranches in his teens. When he was 16 years old he was hired to care for a railroad boxcar of horses from Grand Junction, Colorado to upper New York and then to work that summer on a dude ranch. His many other jobs included a cattle ranch in Eastern Washington, building the Texaco refinery, Ray Jensen Livestock, Buzz Strickland Trucking and retiring at age 65 from Skagit River Steel. After retirement he helped his wife, Ethel, with her daycare business until they were both retired.
Active in the Back Country Horsemen for many years, Shorty served in offices including vice-president and then president for two years. He was also a 45 year member of the Burlington Fraternal Order of Eagles.
He is survived by his wife Ethel; their four children, Tim (Pam), Debi, Dan (Vicky) and Randy (Kris); seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.
An informal gathering to honor Shorty will be held on Saturday, October 29 at the Burlington Lutheran Church from 1-3 pm in the church dining hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Burlington Eagles Scholarship Fund (119 N Cherry, Burlington, WA 98233), Skagit Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen (PO Box 188, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284) or his granddaughter’s non-profit pet rescue (Wayward Creatures Relief Agency, P O Box 29, Chewelah, WA 99109) or the charity of your choice.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.

Guestbook

  • Joan Lipsey Petersen

    I always thought Shorty could do anything. In his spare time he built forts and tables and set up swings for kids to play on at his wife’s daycare. He was a hard worker and a kind person.