Individual Details

Obituary

Dick Fleharty, age 73, died Monday, December 5th at home with his family.

Dick was born at home in St. Paul, Nebraska to his school teacher parents, CD and Gwen. He was raised with his two brothers, Stan and Mel, in Nebraska and Wyoming. He was a very proud graduate of Cheyenne High School Class of 1957.

He spent his early years working at various jobs around Cheyenne, from being a jeweler to selling tickets for Greyhound. He also raced stock cars, did a little rodeo, was a draftsman for a few months on an early 1960's rocket project in Southern California and supported the University of Wyoming Cowboys.

On a trip to Oak Harbor in 1961, Dick met Willa Eames and they were married in January of 1962. They lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming for several years and had two children, Randy and Rochelle. They moved to Blaine in 1971 and have lived in the same house for the last 40 years.

In the mid 70's to late 80's Dick worked as a commercial electrician in Alaska, building 28 schools and many other projects all over rural Alaska from Ketchikan to Iliamna to Kaktovik. Once his travel north slowed down in the early 90's he used his talents in bidding and project management in NW Washington, mostly Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

In his free time he rebuilt and used lapidary tools and collected rocks from all over the world. He enjoyed his traveling to the Southwest, rooting for the Seattle Mariners and following auto racing. Dick was a longtime member of the Mt. Baker Rock and Gem Club including President and Show Chair. He was devoted to his family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence; mother, Gwendolyn; younger brother, Meldon; and grandson, Lucas.

He is survived by his brother, Stan Fleharty, of Oak Harbor; his wife, Willa, of Blaine; son, Randy and his wife, Lynn, of Unalakleet, Alaska; daughter, Rochelle and her husband, Mike, of Blaine; and four grandkids, Kendra, Richard (Bud), James and Karen Colleen (KC).

A private family celebration is being planned for a later date.

Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, Blaine Food Bank, or Mt. Baker Rock and Gem Club Scholarship Program, PO Box 30324, Bellingham, WA 98228.

Moles Greenacres Funeral Home, Memorial Park, and On-site Crematory

Published in Bellingham Herald on December 11, 2011