Richard James Moomaw

Richard James Moomaw, 79, of Omak, died August 9, 2009, at his home. He was born July 17, 1930, to Leo S. Moomaw and Mary (Picard) Moomaw near Monse, WA. He attended Chicken Creek and Omak schools, until leaving to work on the family ranch and rodeo stock business. He served in the Army in Korea in 1951-53. He married Elaine Garvais, his loving wife of 54 years, on June 10, 1955. As they raised their four children in Omak, Rich worked in ranching and logging, at Columbia Concrete and Pipe Co. and then for the Washington State Department of Transportation, where he retired in 1992, after 21 years. Rich and Elaine were both musicians and played old time country music in dance bands, and for enjoyment with friends and family. They later used their gift of music to help comfort or inspire friends and neighbors at their church during life's difficult times, or for celebrations. Rich served his church community as an acolyte for 16 years. We will miss Rich's guitar picking and remember the way kids just loved him. We did, too.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine at the home; sons, Alan Moomaw of Olympia, Jay (Kim) Moomaw of Omak and Tom (Joyce) Moomaw of Ashburn, VA; daughter, Julie Muraoka and husband, Ed Barlongo of Kanoehe, HI; step-mother, Marge (Bonwell) Moomaw of Omak; brothers, Wade (Aggie) Moomaw of Omak, Ted (Joanne) Moomaw of Blair, TX; sisters, Edie (Vern) Stevens, Marie (Bob) Fry and Peg (Bob) Nelson, all of Omak; grandchildren, Brian (April) Ray of East Moriches, NY, Labrie Gunn, Deneige Gunn and Leo J. Moomaw, all of Omak, Richard C. Moomaw of Olympia and Jalen Muraoka of Kanoehe, HI; and great-grandson, Tyler Ray of East Moriches, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Sadie and Ida; and brothers, Ed and Duane.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Mission Catholic Church, officiated by Fr. Jake Morton. A dinner will follow at the Colville Tribal Longhouse. A Private Family Internment will be held at a later date. Precht-Harrison-Nearants Chapel and the Okanogan County Crematory have been entrusted with the arrangements.