Richard (Dick) L. Dexter Obituary (1939

Richard (Dick) L. Dexter, was born on July 5, 1939 in West Helena, Arkansas to Richard and Myrtle (Roles) Dexter. He grew up in Montana and Washington. Graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1957, attended Wenatchee Valley College graduating in 1963 and also went to San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1964. He attended the National Foundation of Funeral Service School of Management, graduating in 1972. Dick began his apprenticeship in October of 1960 at the Lewis Funeral Chapel in Bremerton. While an apprentice at Lewis Funeral Chapel, he played in the Rock & Roll band Rogues for two years and always said it was some of the most fun he had ever had. Following Mortuary School, he returned to Bremerton where he began working for Lewis Funeral Chapel. Dick met his wife, Carolyn on a blind date and they were married on July 31, 1965. Dick was a graduate of the UW Eye Bank Enucleation program and removed corneas in Kitsap County for the Lions Club for many years. From 1968-1990, Dick was a wrestling official, and from 1973-1990, a football official. Highlights of Dick's officiating career were when he worked the football finals in the Kingbowl and five state wrestling championships. In his retirement years, Dick was a Hospice Volunteer. He and Carolyn enjoyed skiing and skied most of the mountains on the west coast. They also enjoyed cruising and reading. Dick was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church where he served on Church Council and had been Past President. A Past Master (2) of William H. Upton Lodge #206 F.&A.M, Scottish Rite Bodies, a 33 IGH (Inspector General Honorary), York Rite Bodies, Sinclair Chapter #80 National Sojourners all of Bremerton. Dick enjoyed reciting Old Glory Speaks, a tribute of our flag for veterans and other groups. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn; son, Erik (Kerry) of Anchorage, AK; granddaughter, Catherine; grandsons, William and James; sisters, Carmita Langeland and Susie Jarvis. Dick is preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Elizabeth Dexter; and brother, Don Flanigan. Public visitation will be held at Lewis Funeral Chapel on Thursday, October 14th from 10:00-5:00pm. A Private entombment service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery Hillcrest Mausoleum. A memorial service will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church on Friday, October 15th at 1:00pm. Memorial donations can be made to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church or Early Life Speech and Language c/o Scott Sageser, PO Box 1404 Bremerton, WA 98337. For those that unable to attend, services will be broadcast at www.oslcbremerton.org and click on Facebook Live.