The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Instead of just relaxing in retirement, Richard “Dick” Jarrett and his wife, Nancy, were committed to working for the Lord.

In 2003, Dick called the regional Seventh-day Adventist church leadership and was able to speak with Doug Johnson, the then-communication director. Doug provided names of several churches across the northwest that could use some assistance. Dick and his wife actually went to all of them and, through prayer and a hat draw, Grand Coulee was selected.

His wife was enthusiastic about community outreach and started a thrift store in an adjacent building and had a regular yard sale to raise additional funds for the church. They had adopted a young girl from Central California, Alyssa.

They would often go to the Bible Study at the Lutheran Church and would stay after to work with the quilting ladies. One of those quilters, Dorothea Grandorff, remembers Alyssa coming to help them on a routine basis. Unfortunately, Dick’s wife died unexpectedly in 2005, and Alyssa went to California to be raised by a relative. Dick stayed on to keep the church going and respond to Bible Study requests.

Newspaper recipients may remember the Native New Day Series or Discover Bible Study requests that were distributed. In 2013, he sold his home in Electric City and attempted to move to Colorado, but after repeatedly losing out to higher bidders, he felt called to return to lead the small church that had some new attendees.

In recent months, Dick’s health has gotten to a point that it now prevents him from living alone. He will be living near his daughter in Colorado.

Perhaps you have been a recipient of his kindness and would like to say thank you. Please join us at 11a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 103 Continental Heights where we will honor him for his service to our country (enlisted 1953–1956; Active Reserve through 1962, finishing as a supply sergeant), our community and our church.

Marlene Oddie