Richard Earl 'Dick' Rainbolt, 85

Richard Rainbolt passed away Aug. 8, 2014, in Coeur d'Alene.

Dick was born June 5, 1929, in St. Maries to Chester and Pearl Rainbolt. He attended all 12 years of school in the St. Maries School District. During his teen years Dick was an Air Scout and always enjoyed flying. He also worked as a mailman in those years and could later still remember his routes. Upon his 1947 graduation from St. Maries High School, Dick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

On Sept. 10, 1948, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Jean Moe. Four days later he left on a boat for China. Dick and Jean had two children, Connie and Richard Jr. As a family they traveled all over the U.S., as well as living on Guam in the Mariana Islands. While there, they took trips to Japan, Saipan and the Philippines.

Dick served his country with valor and honor for 23 years. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and was wounded twice, receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star metals. Dick retired from the Corps in September 1970 as a Lt. Col. He then returned to Coeur d'Alene to be near family. He enrolled in a millwright course at North Idaho College, and after completing the course Dick taught for the next two years at NIC. He then went on to work for the Coeur d'Alene School District until he retired for a second time.

Fishing, hunting and getting firewood filled in his new spare time. Dick's real passion had been cartridge collecting for many years. He hosted the NW Cartridge Show in Coeur d'Alene for many years. Dick and Jean enjoyed hosting dinner before the show and seeing friends from all over. Dick was also active in his church, having helped to build the Ironwood Chapel and, in later years, he was involved in church life at Lake City Lighthouse.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Pearl; and sisters Irene Martin and Marie Ammon. He is survived by his wife, Jean; son Rick Rainbolt (Patty); daughter Connie Rose (Marvin); grandsons Chris Lay (Stacia) and Mathew Lay (Barbara); sister Betty Mercado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Semper Fi; we'll miss you.

Viewing will be held from 10-10:45 a.m., with funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. Graveside service will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene. Please visit Dick's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.