Dick H. DeAtley

The racing community lost an ardent supporter, avid fan, car owner and dear friend on Thursday, March 23, 2017 due to severe Congestive Heart Failure. Dick Harold DeAtley was born August 1, 1952, in Burlington, WA, to Grant and Ruth (Anderson) DeAtley and grew up on Bow Hill, graduating from Edison Grade School and then Burlington-Edison High School in 1971. He was raised in the Lutheran Church, baptized at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wenatchee, WA and confirmed at Edison Lutheran Church. His spirituality may not have been overtly evident, but it showed in his thoughtfulness and caring. He began attending the races at Skagit Speedway from the time he was a young teen. He became a car owner of the late model #27 car and raced it at Elma, Monroe, Skagit and Sky Valley Speedways. Dick acted as pit crew to many drivers at Skagit and Deming Speedways. He is known to these racing communities as a quiet man who was thoughtful and generous. He had a knack for observing a need and a heart that would find a way to fill it. Besides his love of racing, Dick also enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, the Huskies and watching the Zags play. He would have loved to see them to the end of the "Final Four"! He loved animals and they loved him. Growing up, there was always a dog to take care of - some favorites were Blackie, Snow, George, Bernadette and Mr. Magoo and many friends from the racing community. Dick was known in the maritime community as a talented fiberglass boat builder and repairman. He began working with fiberglass out of high school for Uniflite and eventually started his own business, Sunrise Fiberglass. Dick is survived by his twin sister, Deanna (Lyle) Archer of Mt. Vernon and Lyle's three daughters; Jamie (Todd) Cullop, Marty (Harv) Zegstroo, Linde (Chad) Husk, and their children: Dick's loving partner, Kathi Lamont, her son Eric (Jessica) Hamerski and Kathi's grandson Seth Hamerski; also many cousins on both sides of the family (Anderson and DeAtley). He was predeceased by his parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, a half-brother, Robert Anderson, and his special cat, Jake. Donations can be made to Whatcom Hospice House, 2800 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225, or a charity of your choice. The family and Kathi would like to express their gratitude for the grace, mercy and loving care Dick received at Peace Health-St. Joseph Hospital and especially at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham.