Richard Lloyd ‘Dick’ Dickerboom
In memory of Richard “Dick” Dickerboom. (March 30, 1935 to Feb. 25, 2023) 87 years.
Richard passed away, leaving Arlene, his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 65 years; his children, Gregory (Weatherford Texas), Deanna Rosen and husband Keith (Redmond Washington), Kristine Moe and husband Chris (Sumas Washington); grandchildren Caitlin and husband Kevin Steuer, Hannah Rosen, Rachael Rosen, David Moe and wife Tina, Jonathan Moe and wife Michelle; six great-grandchildren Kyle, Braden, Ben, Laura, Tim and Evelynn.
Dick also leaves his nephew, Todd Dickerboom and niece, Nicole Nims.
Dick was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Hazel Dickerboom, and his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Juanita Dickerboom, as well as his father and mother-in-law, Gay and Bernice Digerness.
Born in Everett, Dick moved with his parents Lloyd and Hazel to his grandmother’s farm on Reese Hill where the family residence is to this day.
Dick attended Nooksack Valley High School, graduating from Western Washington College with a teaching degree. He went on to teach high school science in Raymond and Lynden.
Dick met longtime friend and mentor Dr. Robert P. Gibb and left teaching to join Dr. Gibb in the field of pathology.
After working for Gibb Laboratory and St Joseph Hospital for several years.
Dick left Gibb Lab when an opportunity arose to purchase Sumas True Value Hardware in his and Arlene’s home town of Sumas. This became a true family affair with many relatives providing their skills.
Dick and Arlene grew the business to include another store at the Fairway Center in Lynden.
After several years, another opportunity arose in Sumas where Dick and former student, Marlin Bayes converted the hardware store warehouse (Sumas Grange Hall) into The Lone Jack Saloon.
The Lone Jack Saloon became such a successful business that Dick and Arlene sold and closed the hardware stores to devote full time to the saloon.
Dick and Arlene retired from the restaurant in 2002.
Dick, an avid sportsman, loved bird hunting with his Labrador Retrievers, hunting for deer and moose, fishing for salmon.
He and Arlene enjoyed traveling in their RV throughout the greater Northwest and Canada with friends and family.
Every season of the year had an outdoor activity. Dick always had close friends and family that would jump at the chance to travel with him.
Dick also had a love of automobiles. A member of AARC, a local car club, Dick hand built numerous cars that had just a bit more power than the next person.
Some of these cars that he built with longtime local friends and club members.
As long as your vehicle was a Ford, you were alright in his eyes. In retirement Dick built six cars.
All showed a level of quality and beauty that screamed Best in Show as evidenced by the many trophies he collected.
Dick was a family man. He devoted much of his spare time to visits and travels in the Northwest to family, boating and camping in Puget Sound and British Columbia.
Dick leaves us with many fantastic, beautiful memories, long time close friends and business associates. He will be dearly missed.
Dick was so proud of his family and friends that served their communities with the Sumas, Kendall, Lynden and Bellevue Fire Departments.
Memorial donations in Richard’s name may be made to Whatcom County Fire District No. 14.
Please join us in celebrating Richard’s life on Wednesday, April 26 at 1 p.m. at the Mt. Baker Rotary Club Building, 1751 Front St., Lynden.
Weather permitting, we encourage Dick’s family and friends to bring their special automobile for one last car show and rev the engines in his honor.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
