Melvin Edward Rickard

Melvin Edward Rickard, 97 years of age, passed away on 27 Jul 2023 at the Christian Care Center in Lynden, WA. He was born 22 Jan 1926, 30 miles east of Innisfail, Alberta, in a log cabin to Melvin S Rickard and Mary Agnes Biggs. He was the youngest and last surviving child of their eight children. Preceding him in death were his siblings Ralph Rickard, Mabel Shannon, June Olmstead, Donald Rickard and Samuel Rickard of Alberta; Vesta Blum, and Mary Kenoyer of Bellingham. Also preceding him was his son Donald Rickard of Fresno, CA. Surviving are children Valerie Jean Sylvester of Bakersfield, CA; Donna (Dwayne) Guynn of Arvada, CO; Mary (Brad) Becker of Placentia, CA; Michael (Stephanie) Rickard of Fresno, CA; and Sherry (Lynn) Bishop of Grants Pass, OR. He is also survived by several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Longtime companion is Louise Short Tschritter of Chilliwack, BC.  Both of Mel's parents were born in the USA and moved to Canada before the birth of their children. Mel came to Bellingham after age 20, later moving to Eureka, CA where he met Lois Jean Seward. They married in Carson City, NV on 13 Jul 1949. They relocated to Eugene, OR where he had careers as a policeman and a salesman. He built an addition on his home for his growing family and later worked in home construction in Fresno, CA. After a divorce he relocated to Bellingham, WA, where his two sisters lived and remained here for over 30 years until his passing. The family would like to thank the many caregivers at Orchard Park Assisted Living in Bellingham and Christian Care Center in Lynden.