Randall Bruce Wick

1937 - 2022

Randall Bruce Wick
September 19, 1937 - November 21, 2022
Bellingham, Washington - Randy (Randall) B Wick Sr, 85, passed away 11/21/2022 at his Bellingham home, surrounded by many loved ones. It took 6 bouts of pneumonia, broken ribs, congestive heart failure, lung cancer(and treatment), copd, Covid-19, all in a 6 month period to bring the stubborn Norwegian down. Randy was born September 19, 1937 in a chicken coop at the height of the Great Depression in Cathlamet, WA to Florence(Olsen) and Melvin Wick. He grew up riding his bike and terrorizing the streets of Queen Ann Hill, shooting tin cans w/his 22 down the alleys of Seattle. He remembered the end of WWII while playing on the beaches of Birch Bay, when the car horns started to blare, he and the family knew the war was over. He and his parents would make frequent summer trips from Seattle to Whatcom County until they moved to Lynden in 1947. He was baptized in Clearbrook Lutheran Church, attended Lynden public schools and graduated 1956 from Lynden High. Before he left school he had to reverse his senior paint job on the old water tower, since he was the only one caught, perhaps he didn't run fast enough. He was a 4 sport letterman in track & field, football, basketball and baseball, participating in the state tournament several time. After school he played fastpitch for several community teams. One teammate, Moony, was Loretta Lynn's husband. Randy witnessed Loretta's floors get covered in mud during post game celebrations. Randy acquired many sports trophies from darts, bowling, pool, shuffleboard, softball, basketball, and whatever else he decided to play. He attended WWU for a year. Worked as a draftsman in late 1950's for Weld-it-tank & Steel (1806 Cornwall Ave,now Bellingham Coin Shop), Boeing (where he helped design President Kennedy's plane), then as a surveyor for Whatcom County engineers where he retired after 32 years, where he built most county bridges and roads we use today. His crew would race other crews, recklessly driving at high speeds with little regard for road rules, back to the county courthouse (previous location for the engineering office). He ran for county executive in 1991. Randy was a long time member of the Elks and Eagles where he was FOE Volunteer of the Year 1999. Randy had three children from a previous marriage and then he met the love of his life, Annie (Anita) Brionez. He wooed her as she called out BINGO numbers, playing only one card (as everyone else played 12-72 cards), causing her to spill all the balls and wreaking havoc with his beautiful blue eyes. Randy had amassed a small real estate empire which included 2 fourplexes, 2 duplexes, 3 single family homes and Jimbo's Tavern (now The Grand). He walked away from it and started over to raise his son and Anita's three little ones. He never missed a sporting or important life event for them. He was the first to hold his granddaughter, Amber. As Jeff passed out crossing the finish line of a 5k, Randy was there to catch him in his Jimbo's jacket. Brian ended up in a tight spot with a biker gang, he called Dad who was there to back him up in minutes. He coached little league, helped at field trips, and dragged his son to the library for years, which is why his son credits his father for his successful career. He frequented Wynn Associate's auctions every two weeks for many years. Randy attended the last playoff game in the Kingdome, 5 2001 Mariners's playoff games, the 2014 Superbowl, and the longest scoreless playoff game in MLB history October 15, 2022. He loved hunting, telling stories, playing card games, gardening (but not yard work), and talking. He loved to tell you long stories that had to have every little detail (like the person writing this obituary). Randy enjoyed yearly trips to the Palm Springs area and relocated there from 2011-2020. Randy passed away in his old Van Wyck property, now owned by his brother-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin 1975, Florence 2007, brother Thomas Wick 1995, great nephew Triston Tjoelker 2022. Randy leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Anita(Annie) Wick, Aunt Delores (Olsen) Sandberg, his children Tammy, Brian, Karen, Jeff (Boyd Ferris), Anita, Angel, R.B. (Sara Harrison), his grandchildren Jamie (Kevin Smeall), Alisa, Alex, Amber, Christopher (Victoria), Adam, Emily, Abi, and Sterling Randall Wick, great grandchildren Emma, Brayden, Tyson, and Lilith. Randy was a kind man who would help anyone. A public MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held January 7, 2023 at 3pm 1650 Baker Creek Place Bellingham, Washington 98226. Questions, please email randallbwick@gmail.com or call 360-393-2631 All are welcome and lunch will be provided!