Richard Keith Crowder

Richard "Rick" Crowder died peacefully on May 5, 2008, at Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland, Wash., with his wife and mother at his side.

Rick was bom Aug. 23, 1957, to Keith and Phyllis Crowder in Omak, Wash. He spent a happy childhood there with his family and graduated from Omak High School in 1975. After graduating he grew apples in the Okanogan area for a few years before moving to the Columbia Basin.

While living and working in the Columbia Basin he met and married his wife, Debbie, whom he was married to for nearly 24 years. The two of them had three daughters Karrie Crowder, Kristina VanAuken, and Camille Woodward. Recently Rick was blessed to have new members added to his family - Kristina's husband, David VanAuken, Camille's husband, Mark Woodward, and the apple of his eye, grandson, Maddox VanAuken.

In addition to his wife and children, Rick is survived by his mother, Phyllis Crowder, of Omak, sister, Rhonda Mastey, of Omak, brothers, Randy Crowder, of Omak, Ron Fateley of Hood River, Ore., Bob Fateley of Brewster, Wash., and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews who all loved him.

Rick loved his family deeply, and enjoyed nothing better than sharing time and laughter with them. However, he also enjoyed spending time outdoors. He grew fruit in the Columbia Basin and Brewster areas for many years, and loved to spend time in his gardens. He also enjoyed golfing, woodworking, and in his younger days, cutting wood with his family in the mountains. Rick loved to fish, something he had the opportunity to do often while living in Brewster. When he was not fishing, he enjoyed many afternoons playing on the lake with his wife and children in

their boat. On a quieter day, Rick liked to just go for a drive in the mountains. With his mother, Phyllis, always a willing partner, he loved driving the hills of his home around Omak and Concunully, Wash.

Rick was a kind, generous man with many ftiends. He felt blessed by the love of his family and friends, and the good Lord above. We will miss him deeply, but we know that he is now healthy, happy, loved, and home at last!

A memorial service will be held for Rick at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church at Riverside and Locust Street in Omak, Wash., on Saturday May 24 at 1 p.m.