Richard Allan Cockle, 72, of Spangle Washington, passed away at home on July 3, 2016, with his family by his side. He was born on October 11, 1943 in Tonasket, Washington to Roy and Lucile (Henderson) Cockle.

He grew up moving around a bit, but spent most of it in the Allan house on Nine Mile East of Oroville. On Aug. 15, 1964 he married Myrna Morris. Together they had three children: Ron (1966), Shelli (1968) and Darrin (1969).

After graduating from Molson High School in 1962, Richard went to Bates Technical College, in Tacoma. Richard was a very hard worker from the time he was a small child. Throughout his childhood he worked for many ranchers in and around Molson, Wash. He spent one summer working for the forest service in Darrington, Wash. and other summers working in the Apple Warehouses in Oroville, Wash. He and Myrna moved to Kent and he began working for Boeing. Richard missed his home in Molson and they chose to move back and work with his family in the C & L pole cutting business. Richard then got a position working with Paul Loe on his farm – a job that he loved so much. He and Myrna also spent a couple of years logging and cutting wood. After the kids all moved to Spokane, Richard and Myrna also moved there. He then took a job working as maintenance supervisor for hotels in Spokane. Richard’s last position before retirement was working as an apartment manager for a retirement community. After retirement Richard and Myrna built their final home in Spangle.

Richard was the founding member of the Molson-Chesaw Fire Department. He also volunteered as a 4-H Leader and Okanogan County Fair Board Member. When Okanogan County started the Diversion Program, he was quick to volunteer to help the youth in our community. One of the young men that he took under his wing says: “Richard is a giant of a man. He invested and believed in me. He was the first person I really felt valued by. I remember staying at the house many nights and putting sheetrock up in the Molson school house. Richard told me many stories of the things he did to teachers when he attended the Molson school – funny stuff he did. Richard Cockle is a great man and I love him dearly.”

Richard enjoyed many things in life, including fishing, tinkering, driving fork lift for Ron’s shop, smoking his pipe, and he loved spending time with his grandchildren – Jake and Holly. Throughout his life he made many close friends that made an impact on his life. He always spoke of Paul Loe, Pat Napier, Chuck Spieth and Jerry White with great love and admiration.

Richard is survived by his wife, Myrna; siblings, Raymond (Marsha) Cockle – East Wenatchee, Wash., Ken (Karen) Cockle – Puyallup, Wash., Garold Cockle – Spokane, Wash., Edna (Milton) Leslie – Oroville WA, Jim (Debbie) Cockle – Wenatchee, Wash., Fred (Karen) Cockle – Everson, Wash., Steve Cockle – Spokane, Wash., Gordie (Andrea) Cockle – Ellisforde, Wash.; son, Ron (Marcy) Cockle – Spangle, Wash.; daughter, Shelli Cockle – Mead, Wash.; son, Darrin Cockle – Los Angeles, Calif.; two grandchildren: Jacob Cockle – Spangle, Wash., Holly Cockle – Spangle, Wash. and many, many, many other family members. He was proceeded in death by his parents: Roy Cockle and Lucile (Henderson) Cockle; along with an infant brother, Mark.

There will be a Celebration of Life potluck dinner at the Molson Grange Hall on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Richard’s name to the Molson-Chesaw Fire Department in care of Phil Dart, 233 Molson Rd., Oroville, WA 98844; or Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30339