James Arthur Rick
October 26, 1931 - January 19, 2017
Obituary
James (Jim) A. Rick
October 26, 1931-January 19, 2017
Jim was a dedicated educator in the Highline School District, having completed all 30 years of his educational career with Highline. Jim began his career as a teacher at Lakeview Elementary School in 1957. During the next six years, he taught 5th and 6th graders at Boulevard Park and Hilltop elementary schools. Once Jim began his teaching career he immediately went back to college to earn a Masters Degree in Administration and was soon hired as principal at Boulevard Park Elementary School in 1962. As a district person once said, “His abilities and personality became so obvious to our school district leaders that they finally decided to make a principal out of him.” Maywood and Sunny Terrace students enjoyed his guidance during the next nine years. He then held principalships at Cedarhurst, Maywood, Parkside, Mt. View, and Southern Heights elementary schools.
Jim unselfishly contributed his time and energy to the athletic activities in the District. If you were a sports enthusiast in the Highline area Jim’s voice would be familiar to you. He was known as “leatherlungs” of the Highline School District. For more than 20 years Jim could be heard high above Highline Stadium announcing high school football and track events. He was also deeply involved in officiating junior high basketball.
A man of many and varied interests and talents, Jim was a Civil Defense Instructor, Attendance Counselor (Truancy Officer), Intramural Athletic Instructor, President of Highline East Little League which he helped form, YMCA swim instructor, Boys and Girls Chairman of Highline Kiwanis Club and member of the Burien Elks. At the time of his passing Jim was in his thirteenth year as the elected Commissioner of Water District No. 125.
Jim’s three sons, Robert, Bruce, and Randy, all excelled in sports and is what drew Jim into leadership roles in local sports. When his boys were young he helped form the Highline East Little League. He coached at the Little League level, moving up to coach at the Pony and Colt league levels. Jim advanced his coaching skills to the semi-professional baseball level, managing the Adair’s semi-pro team into the national play-offs and placing as high as third place. Jim influenced many young men in his coaching career and coached many outstanding athletes, most notable ex-Seattle Mariner pitcher Floyd Bannister.
Jim faced a tough upbringing as a child. His father died when he was two and his mother died when he was fifteen. After his mother’s death Jim moved to Seattle to live with an older sister. After enlisting in the Coast Guard and his marriage to Sandra, whom he called “my only girlfriend,” Jim made the decision to pursue his career in education. Jim was accepted to Western Washington State College and received his BA in Education in 1957 immediately being hired by the Highline District, thus launching a career that impacted countless students, staff, and families. He earned his MA in School Administration from Central Washington State College in 1963.
Jim was preceded in death by his son Robert (Bob), 1952-1974. He leaves behind his immediate family including his wonderful wife Sandra; sons Bruce and Randy; daughters’ in-law Laurel and Wende; grandchildren Jennifer Bosik, and Nicholas (Tessa) Rick; Danielle Sartain; Mike (Tabitha) Sartain and Neil Sartain; and nine great-grandchildren.
The family sends its most sincere, heartfelt, thanks for the outpouring of love and support provided by all.
“The measure of life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” Peter Marshall
Services to be held at the SeaTac Community Center February 4th at 1pm
I have truly appreciated my relationship with Jim over the past 47 years as an associate in the Highline School District, Kiwanis member, working with him at Memorial Stadium and a part of our old time administrators meetings on a monthly basis. No meeting was ever complete until Jim came across with “have you heard the one about ……………” My condolences go to the family.
I was a shipmate with Jim on the Coast Guard cutter, Citrus.
Mr Rick was the new principal at Maywood Elementary when our beloved Principal Katherine White retired. I believe the year was 1964. I was in 5th grade and interviewed Mr Rick for our school newspaper. He was so friendly and ready to play baseball with us kids at recess outside or basketball in the gym. In 6th grade, I was a student office helper at lunch time one day a week, answering the phone, while Mrs Chittenden ate her lunch. Mr Rick teased me by telling me I was in charge as he went out the door. I felt so important! After I moved on to Olympic Jr High, I occasionally stopped at Maywood on my walk home. Mr Rick always greeted me by name and welcomed my visit. I’m sure thousands of other students would have similar stories to share. I particularly will remember Mr Rick’s crinkly eyes when his face lit up in a smile. He was so kind and was a great role model for all of us kids at Maywood.
My condolences to Mrs Rick and the rest of the family. May your happy memories give you comfort and peace.
We would like to acknowledge the many years that Jim faithfully served the District and his numerous contributions that have added to our success.
Sending my deepest condolences.
Mr Rick has passed through my mind every year of my life since 1963 when he was my 6 th grade teacher. First time I saw a man cry November 22 1963 when Heather Trent came in out of the rain after crossing duty at lunch and cried President Kennedy was shot and Mr Rick put his head down on his desk and cried out loud. Still brings a tear to my eyes! He was the first male figure to take any interest in me from paying for me to go to camp to talking me into turning out for his 6 grade basketball team and making me the starting center when I rebounded a made basket and scolded the other kid for not going after the ball! Ha! I believe he is also the one who paid the 25$ physical exam I needed to play.( I guess I was poor white trash at the time). Anyway I have never had that kind of respect for anyone since and regret not telling him so, not for lack of effort but it’s so much easier to track people now.