Richard Lavely was born on March 15, 1950 in Omaha, Nebraska, a middle child of a Methodist pastor. Even though he was born in Omaha, he was a true Oregonian. His early years were spent in North Portland followed by high school in Grants Pass. After attending Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, he settled on a career as an auto mechanic, owning his own service station in Portland at the age of 28. It was in the automotive service industry that he met his wife Becky, when she brought her car in for service. Rick, in characteristic style, seized the opportunity to ask her out on a date.
In 1975 they married in Portland, Oregon and raised two daughters, Victoria and Emily, in the midst of a large network of friends and family. In 1994 he moved his family to Manteca, CA to work for the Triad Corporation and Trend Technologies, eventually owning his own tire franchise.
Richard, or more commonly “Rick,” was known among his friends and family as a consistently positive person with a competitive spirit and a true zest for life. He believed in giving back to the community, using his business to promote an annual “Coats for Kids” drive.
Rick was also an active sportsman. He participated in many sports, including cycling and golf. One of his greatest joys was participating in the Seattle to Portland Bike Race for two years. Another annual highlight was “Wood Weekend,” where he and three dear friends would spend three days in a cabin on Mount Hood in Oregon, chopping wood and playing card games beside a roaring fire.
He first became sick in 2005. During his illness, his family and friends supported him by forming “Team Rick,” with T-shirts, blogs, and updates to cheer him on. Rick did not disappoint. After a bone marrow transplant in February 2008, he fought his way back to health. He again started riding his bike and was able to play golf with his father. In addition he traveled across the country to visit family and friends.
Rick passed away at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center Feb 5, 2009, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Rebecca, children Victoria and Sean McCollum of Baltimore, Maryland, and Emily Lavely of Modesto, California, parents William and Doris Lavely of Portland, Oregon, siblings Diane Lavely of Palm Springs, California, Steve Lavely of Eureka, Montana, Linda Kildow of Portland, nieces Allison Lee, Charlotte Heller, Trista Kildow, and Saribeth Lavely, nephews Christopher Lee and Kyle Kildow, as well as the many members of Team Rick.
Memorial Services will be held on April 10th in Portland, Oregon. His ashes will be scattered in private ceremonies on Mt. Hood, in Oregon and Lanikai Beach, Hawaii later this year.
Contributions in his memory may be made to: UCSF Volunteer Program 505 Parnasus Avenue, Box 0208 San Francisco, CA 94143-0208 or the The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 4604 Roseville Road, Suite 100 North Highlands, CA 95660.
In 1975 they married in Portland, Oregon and raised two daughters, Victoria and Emily, in the midst of a large network of friends and family. In 1994 he moved his family to Manteca, CA to work for the Triad Corporation and Trend Technologies, eventually owning his own tire franchise.
Richard, or more commonly “Rick,” was known among his friends and family as a consistently positive person with a competitive spirit and a true zest for life. He believed in giving back to the community, using his business to promote an annual “Coats for Kids” drive.
Rick was also an active sportsman. He participated in many sports, including cycling and golf. One of his greatest joys was participating in the Seattle to Portland Bike Race for two years. Another annual highlight was “Wood Weekend,” where he and three dear friends would spend three days in a cabin on Mount Hood in Oregon, chopping wood and playing card games beside a roaring fire.
He first became sick in 2005. During his illness, his family and friends supported him by forming “Team Rick,” with T-shirts, blogs, and updates to cheer him on. Rick did not disappoint. After a bone marrow transplant in February 2008, he fought his way back to health. He again started riding his bike and was able to play golf with his father. In addition he traveled across the country to visit family and friends.
Rick passed away at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center Feb 5, 2009, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Rebecca, children Victoria and Sean McCollum of Baltimore, Maryland, and Emily Lavely of Modesto, California, parents William and Doris Lavely of Portland, Oregon, siblings Diane Lavely of Palm Springs, California, Steve Lavely of Eureka, Montana, Linda Kildow of Portland, nieces Allison Lee, Charlotte Heller, Trista Kildow, and Saribeth Lavely, nephews Christopher Lee and Kyle Kildow, as well as the many members of Team Rick.
Memorial Services will be held on April 10th in Portland, Oregon. His ashes will be scattered in private ceremonies on Mt. Hood, in Oregon and Lanikai Beach, Hawaii later this year.
Contributions in his memory may be made to: UCSF Volunteer Program 505 Parnasus Avenue, Box 0208 San Francisco, CA 94143-0208 or the The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 4604 Roseville Road, Suite 100 North Highlands, CA 95660.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
