Rich Easterly, 83, of Central Park, passed away peacefully at his home on March 18, 2024. Rich was born on August 26, 1940 in Portland, Oregon to parents Lyle Easterly and Ethel Dunlap-Ultican Easterly.
He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1958. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart Joye.
Joye and Rich got married on November 25, 1961. They were married almost 62 years.
Rich joined the United States Navy in 1958, stationed on the Bon Homme Richard aircraft carrier and serving six years before being honorably discharged in 1964.
He went to work as a pipe fitter for 35 years at the Weyerhaeuser Pulp mill in Cosmopolis. Rich also volunteered for 26 years as a fireman at the Central Park Fire Department and was a member of the Elks Club for 33 years. He was the proud owner of a 1951 Chevrolet Sedan, cruising around and going to many car shows. Most recently he was a member of the Lug Nutz car group.
He often met with his friends for breakfast and coffee. He loved riding around on his Kymco Scooter alongside his buddies around Central Park and down to Friends Landing. He loved maintaining his yard on his John Deere riding mower. Rich delighted in being in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, coaching his daughter’s baseball team and attending his grandchildren’s activities.
He loved to travel, especially to places such as Washington, D.C. where he could immerse himself in historical facts and stories. He was an avid book reader, enjoyed good music and Western-themed movies. He always got a chuckle out of a good joke.
Rich is survived by his loving wife Joye; twin brother John, daughters Tami (Sonny) Philamalee and Susie Kingsolver, grandchildren Aric Philamalee (fiance, Aubrey Craypo), Brittney (Gavin) Baker and Addison Kingsolver, great-grandsons Levi and Carter Baker and great-granddaughter Piper Morgan Baker (due to be born in April), and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Lyle and Ethel Easterly and grandson Cameron Philamalee.
A private family inurnment will be held on March 29, 2024 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Cosmopolis. A celebration of life will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Aberdeen.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
The family suggests any donations be made to PAWS of Grays Harbor or the Central Park Fire Department in Rich’s name.
