87-year-old Joseph Burich Jr. of Aberdeen, Washington passed from this life into eternity with Jesus Christ on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. He was born to Joseph Burich Sr. and Helen Jurison Burich on March 15, 1937, and grew up a Croatian in Junction City — his grandchildren often heard stories of his upbringing and the place he fondly spoke of that rivaled Mayberry RFD.

Joe is survived by his wife of 67 years Carol Nelson Burich, two daughters, Lori Burich of Montesano, Washington and Shannon Burich Woodland of Lynchburg, Virginia, four granddaughters: Samantha Wayman Ragsdale of Shelton, Washington; Jessica Wayman Christianson of Montesano, Washington; Ashley Woodland of Williamsburg, Virginia and Abigail Woodland McCarter of Lynchburg, Virginia. He also has three great-grandchildren Tucker, Brody and Blakely.

Joe is also survived by one sister, Jenny Burich Jamison and several nieces and nephews.

Joe spent 40 years at Lambs Grays Harbor beginning as a welder and making his way to management. Again, many, many fond memories and stories were told over the years of his career and the people who made it special and amusing. He was an avid street rod enthusiast and won awards for his ’40 Ford Convertible and ’55 Cadillac. He served as a Central Park Water Commissioner plus he loved landscaping; Joe and Carol’s yard was filled with beautiful lace leaf maple trees that grew over the years to be the showstoppers of their home and neighborhood.

At this time, the family has decided a memorial for Joe will be scheduled early 2025.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.