Pat Rickey Jr., 76

November 1, 2011

A memorial service was Nov. 1 at Country Church of the Open Bible in Elk for longtime Elk resident Pat Rickey Jr., 76, who passed away on Oct. 25 in Spokane.
Born on Oct. 1, 1935, to the late Patrick Sr. and Leona (Flanders) Rickey at the family home in Spokane, the family moved to Chattaroy, where he and his three sisters were raised and attended school. Following high school, he worked as a mechanic at Madren Brothers in Hillyard and then moved to the sales of Studebakers, Internationals and eventually Toyotas.
On Nov, 18, 1954, he married Jean Parker. They made their home in Chattaroy until 1973 when they built their home on Reflection Lake in Elk.
In 1971, the couple purchased the Husky Gas Station in Elk, which they renamed “Pat’s Husky.” They added the convenience store in 1980, which began the men’s early morning coffee group at “Pat’s Food and Fuel.”
Mr. Rickey sold the station in 2000 and continued Pat’s Towing and expanded Pat’s Pump service, which he later sold to his son, Pat III, in April 2003.
Mr. Rickey was an outdoorsman, who loved camping, fishing and hunting.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Jean Rickey; his son-in-law, Scott Snyder, and a grandson, Mark Vaagen.
He is survived by his four children, Renae (Jim) Richter of Spokane, Melanie (David) Vaagen of Colville, Pat (Robin) Rickey of Elk, and Kerrie (Tracy) Webster of Bend, Ore.; three sisters, Belva (Jerry) Whitlock of Kennewick, Wash, Joyce (Gary) Bass of Spokane, Cheryl (Eric) Loer of Inchelium; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial contributions be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Colville, was in charge of arrangements. An online memorial and guestbook is available at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.