Richard Coder

Richard (Dick) Marvin Coder Richard (Dick) Marvin Coder, 88, of Zillah, WA passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 28, 2017. Born on August 14, 1928 in Ulysses Kansas to Alfred Baker Coder and Jessie Marie (Basler) Coder. Dick was the 5th child of 11 children. At the age of 2 Dick contracted Polio which affected his right side leaving him with one leg smaller than the other and a limp. But Dick never let his disability stop him from doing most anything he wanted to do. Even though he had to use crutches for a while as a child, Dick could still run faster on his crutches than most of the other boys. In 1932, when Dick was age 4, the Coder family moved from Kansas across country to the state of Washington to escape the dust bowl. The first place the family stopped at in Washington state was the Teapot gas station, which is now a historic landmark, and this was a favorite memory that Dick loved to recall. The family then settled in the Granger area until 1942 when the family moved to Bellevue, WA. Were Dick worked as a busboy/dishwasher, in a downtown Seattle restaurant. Dick moved back to Granger some years later and met his wife to be Sara June Johnson in 1950. For a time, Dick lived in Shelton working in a mill. Dick was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church on June 13, 1953 and Dick and Sara June were married 4 days later on June 17, 1953. Dick worked in carpentry and truck driving to support his growing family. In 1959 Dick Graduated from Yakima Business College after studying Business Administration. Dick than found his career as an electrician in, 1963. After living in several places Toppenish, Moses Lake, Buena, Olympia and Mt. Vernon; they settled in Toppenish WA, were they lived until retirement. After downsizing Dick and Sara June moved to an apartment in Zillah, were they enjoyed their last days with their little dog Cookie. Always keeping busy Dick enjoyed volunteering at his church, fishing, camping, riding his scooter with his dog Cookie, cracking walnuts, putting together puzzles and being with family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Jessie Coder, his brothers Howard, Wallace and Russell Coder, a sister Mina Jorgenson and his wife of almost 60 years Sara June Coder. Richard was survived by two daughters: Rickie (Fred) Reimer of Zillah and Vonda (Phil) Riggs of Aberdeen. One brother: Dale Coder. Four sisters: Marjorie Bridger, Mary Bedker, Maxine Walker, and Janice Bottineau. Five grandchildren: April Dodd, Christina (Warren) Devaney, Carmen (Ken) Barnett, Jason (Jennifer) Riggs and Kali Riggs. Ten great-grandchildren: Ann-Marie, Gage, Jonathan, Michael, Arwen, Jacob, Jocelyn, Alex, Jaiden and Kamdyn. And two great-great grandchildren: Kara Lynne and Chloe. Richard is buried in the Zillah Cemetery next to his wife Sara June. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, June 25 at 11:00 am at the Zillah Community Church of Seventh-day Adventists. A potluck meal will follow the service. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Coder, please visit our flower store.