Memorial planned December 30 for Richard Joseph Kord, 1926-2013

A funeral Mass is planned one week from today – next Monday, December 30th – at Holy Rosary for Richard Joseph Kord, whose family shares this remembrance:

Richard “Dick” Kord passed away Saturday, December 14, 2013, at the age of 87. Born in Tacoma, he was 6 when his family settled in West Seattle permanently. Dick attended Holy Rosary and O’Dea High School, met his wife “Dottie” of 64 years, and enrolled in summer school to graduate early so he could sign up for service in the US Military Transport in the Pacific during the war, alongside his lifelong friend “Mick.” He then graduated from Seattle University while working at Sears part-time. This led to his 42-year beloved and dedicated career with Sears, where he established cherished friendships as well. Retirement allowed him more time to spend with his wife, family, friends, working on his home and pursuing his love for boating.

He was a member of the West Seattle Kiwanis Club, SU Alumni, Sears Retiree Group, and usher for 20+ years at Holy Rosary Church, a job he took very seriously, as he did most everything.

Dick was a Boy Scout in his youth, and that seemed to define his character and approach to life: Be prepared, work hard, do your best, don’t complain, never give up, help others, be frugal and financially responsible, honor and respect parents, ancestors, and authority, be loyal and totally committed to your family, friends and faith, assume your responsibilities without question and never say “I can’t.” His word was his bond. For family and friends, his passing is a real loss.

Survived by his wife Dorothy “Dottie”; his 4 children, Colleen (Allan), Dan (Colleen), Sandra, & Sue Chambers (Greg); 8 grandchildren, Jennica, Jeff, Christy, Angie, Matt, Nick, Katherine, Natasha; brother Eugene Kord (Virginia); nieces and nephews Cathy, Lori, Mary, Margie, Mike, Bret, Bonnie, and Barry, and their respective spouses. He was preceded in death by grandson Joshua Kord at birth and by nephew Brian Linn.

Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church on Monday, December 30th, 2013 at 10:30 am. Reception to follow. Private internment at Holyrood Cemetery at 2 pm.

Sincere thank you to everyone at Sunrise of Mercer Island for the extraordinary care and concern that was given him during the last 2 years of his life.

Richard requested remembrances to St. Vincent DePaul & Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

1 Reply to "Memorial planned December 30 for Richard Joseph Kord, 1926-2013"

  • DC December 23, 2013 (7:59 am)

    Mr. Kord was a gentleman through and through. Always kind and unassuming. We’ve lost another member of the Greatest Generation. My sincere condolences to the family. Debbie Coghill

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