RICHARD LEE DICK' NEVITT Gramps' Dick, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, passed away April 30, 2014 at his home on Samish Island surrounded by his family. Dick was 75 years old and had valiantly fought cancer for over six years. Dick was born June 18, 1938, in Wellington, Kansas, to Bill and Cecile (Boggs) Nevitt. His father was a farmer, but in 1945 they left Kansas to join other family members in Seattle and work in the shipyards. When the war ended, his father went to work for Puget Power and they moved to Burlington. The family built a home on Nevitt Road, and Dick started first grade where he met another first grader named Deanne. Dick was an outstanding athlete in high school; he was a four year letterman in track, basketball and football for the Tigers. He graduated from BE-HS in 1957, and married his first grade girl friend, Deanne Knutzen, in January 1958. Dick served as an Electricians Mate in the Navy from 1958 until being honorably discharged on January 17, 1962. Dick, Deanne and their three children moved back to Washington State where he worked 9 years for Boeing as an electrician. In 1970, Dick began his career with Shell Oil at the Anacortes Refinery where he retired in 1993 as Electrical and Instrumentation Supervisor in 1983. He continued to work at the refinery for several more years with various outside contractors. Dick's family was the most important thing in his life. He always had a child around him, helping with a job and learning the Nevitt' way to do any job. He was a coach and cheerleader for any and all activities Deanne and the kids were involved with. You would find Dick and his camera at any event involving his family, know that he would greet you with a smile and good job', often with a lunch or snack for the team. He would tell everyone he met about his family and how they were doing. He felt blest to have his children settle in Skagit Valley. His home on Burlington Hill and later at Samish Island was always open to his friends and family, but also to any friends of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We have memories of many parties, celebrations, slumber parties, and visits over the years. He was proud of every family member and was supportive during good and bad times. He enjoyed his retirement years boating and crabbing at Samish Island. Dick is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Deanne, children and spouses, Rick and Diane Nevitt. Mike and Shelley Nevitt, Kathy and Patrick Rodgers. Seven grandchildren: Bryan and Adam Barnwell, Natalie Canniff, Sallie Miller, Hannah, Marcus, and Zach Nevitt. Ten great-grandchildren; Michael, Lilly, Molly, Nicholas, Grayson, Kylee, Christian, Jackson, Cameron, and Emma Jane. Also by his brother Jon and wife Janet Nevitt, sister Judy Nevitt, their children Jack, Chad and Megan and numerous Nevitt family cousins. A Celebration of Dick's Life will be held Saturday, May 10, 2014 11:00 am, at Edison Lutheran Church followed by a reception in the church social hall hosted by members of Edison Church. Donations may be made in Dick's name to the Nevitt Family Scholarship for BE graduating seniors, at BE-EAF, PO Box 350, Burlington, WA 98233; Edison Lutheran Church Building Fund at 14201 Church Road, Bow, WA 98232; or a charity of your choice. Special thanks to Dr. Kojouri and Nurse Tracy at the Skagit Regional Cancer Care Center for their loving care of Dick during his last struggle with cancer. You gave us additional time with this wonderful man.