John Henry Spickard
January 18, 1915 - April 16, 2001John Henry Spickard (Age 85) achieved his goal of being on this earth to the year 2000 and with us until 2:30 am April 16th 2001.
John was born on a homestead in Sanders County Montana to Pearl and Clara Spickard. His father was a rancher who raised and sold horses. They later moved to Clarkston, WA where John helped them in the family owned grocery store and, later with his brother, converted the store into an apartment house. John was graduated from Clarkston High 1935. He attended classes at the University of Idaho.
He enjoyed dancing and was nicknamed "10 cents a dance Spickard." He met Betty Edith Davis at a dance. She came with sister Ida, her husband Bill, and brother Asa. John asked her to dance. Their New Years Eve date was at the Clarkston Metronome Dance Hall.
They fell in love and eloped to Orifino, Idaho and married on April 29th, 1941. Their sons, Steve was born June 27, 1942 and Bob on December 17, 1943.
During World War II John worked in construction in California and Idaho. John helped build the Faragot Naval Station on Pend Oreille Lake. Returning to Clarkston, he owned and operated the Highland Grocery Store from 1942 through 1948. In Clarkston, John became a lifetime member of the Elks Club and was very active in the Chamber of Commerce.
Loving of the outdoors and hard work John, Betty and their two sons owned and operated the ZN ranch in the Blue Mountains on the Grande Ronde River from 1948 through 1956.
The family later moved to Olympia and Seattle where John became a securities agent and developed various corporations.
With the boys grown, John and Betty moved to Texas where he worked with his brother to develop an irrigation supply business. She worked as an accountant and tax consultant with H&R Block.
In 1967 John and Betty moved to Spokane and developed the real estate holding company. John was very active in volunteer work for with Kawanis and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. John and Betty started a financial services company in 1972 where they eventually employed over 30 personnel, bought and sold real estate and automobile contracts. They were instrumental in helping the start up of several small businesses in the Spokane Area. John was known for being the person who would help another who had a good idea and wanted to start a business.
After Betty passed away April 4, 1987, John renewed his friendship with Eleanore Cole, a high school friend and spent most of his time with her until his passing. Mr. Spickard enjoyed fishing, history, movies and being with his family
John is survived by brother Lawrence Spickard, sons, Steve and Robert, two grand children, Janice MacAvoy of New York and Ryan John Spickard of Seattle and one great-grandchild, Margaret.
He carried a poem in his wallet to remind him of his wife and perhaps to give us all comfort:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumns rain.
When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.To view pictures and learn more of John and his family visit http://members.nbci.com/smilinj/family.
Graveside services will be held in Clarkston, Washington at the Vineland Cemetary on April 25 at 2 PM a reception will follow at the Pautler Senior Center.