Early in the afternoon on Thursday, January 3, 2013, Richard Allen Lockrem Sr. left us to continue his journey into the Great Mystery. It was a sunny winter afternoon, a rarity in Washington and the type of day he would never neglect to take advantage of.

He was born December 16, 1933, in Underwood, North Dakota. All who knew him would remark upon his fondness for storytelling, and tales of his early life on the farm were never few. Those first years set the mold for an extraordinary life. Although his daily life, at that time, was defined by a level of hardship few today would understand, those memories were rarely relayed without evoking a smile or a homesick tear.

It was on that farm that he learned the value of family, self-reliance, and hard work. He also developed a deep connection to the outdoors. For the remainder of his life, he would derive great satisfaction from rearing livestock and gardening. Often he would remark, to friends and family, that he should have remained a farmer. After leaving school in the 8th grade, he continued to work on his father's farm and began taking odd jobs where he could find them.

In 1951 he joined the United States Air Force. After completing basic training in Texas he was assigned to a small airbase in Ontario, Canada. It was there that he met the woman that would remain at his side for the next 60 years. He met Florence B. Lindstrom at a fire, and endured a prolonged courtship of two weeks before having her hand in marriage. It's certain he told everyone who heard the story of how they met that he knew she was the one from the moment he set eyes upon her.

Once he had completed his period of service in the Air Force, he remained briefly in the Midwest with his young family taking repair work where he could find it. In 1965 he relocated his family to Seattle, WA. From his home, on 8th Avenue South, he would branch out his business from general appliance repair to specializing in the repair and construction of custom Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

A&A Repair became A&A Custom Cycle (with a smile he would explain that he chose the name so he could be first in the phone book). He remained in his rambler style home in Burien with his business in the garage until his children had grown and he had become accustomed to being addressed as Grandpa.

In 1981, following the example of his brother Leslie, Richard purchased 10 acres of land in La Conner, WA. A&A Custom Cycle became Lockrem's Cycle Barn. In addition to the land he also bought a bulldozer, a tractor, and a small lumber mill. At an age where many men have their sights set on retiring, Richard cleared 10 acres of forest, milled the timber himself, and built a new shop and a beautiful A-Frame home from the ground up. Often he would remark that his hands knew every piece of wood in his home.

For the next 32 years, the King and Captain of the Lockrem family watched his grandchildren grow from his castle on the hill. His family grew from 5 children, to 16 grandchildren, to nearly countless great-grandchildren. Richard's religion was his family, and every member of it understands how profoundly his example influenced the course of their lives.

Upon learning of his death Florence began to pray for him. Quickly she realized that, although the gesture would be appreciated, it was not necessary. Richard was more than simply a good man he was a rare man of excellence. For the Lockrem family he was much more than simply a husband or father, he was their friend, their patriarch, and their guide.

Florence prayed then instead for her family, for they are all a bit less whole and a lot more lost without him. Wherever his journey has taken him he will most certainly meet its challenges with the same skill and mastery he displayed during his time with them.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, Clarence and Margaret, his sister Marjorie, and his brothers Jerry and Leslie. He is survived by his wife Florence, his sisters Bonnie and Sharon, his sons Richard, Jr. (Dawn), James (Carol), and Gary (Sheila), and his daughters Kathy and Connie.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes, WA. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Evans Funeral Chapel. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Fernhill Cemetery in Anacortes.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Richard, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.