Richard "Dick" L. Burrell

Dick Burrell was born September 30, 1924 in Port Orchard, Washington, to Carl and Florence Anderson. He graduated from South Kitsap in 1942 and joined the armed forces to serve in the South Pacific as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne. He was in Japan in 1945 and, from the shore, watched the signing of the peace treaty on the battleship Missouri. Dick enrolled in college at Western Washington where he met his future wife, June White. They were married in 1947 and both signed teaching contracts at Wishkah Valley in Grays Harbor County, where they started their family. Dick taught and coached and won championships in both football and basketball. He also taught and coached at Rochester in Lewis County for a year when he was lured a few miles north to Littlerock as an administrator and was involved in building a new school. His final move came when an administrative position opened in Belfair. His family’s favorite vacation spot was Hood Canal so he and June built a home there for their five children, who spent their school years at North Mason enjoying the wonders of Hood Canal. The last few years of his teaching were spent in the classroom, teaching 8th grade math, which he loved. His retirement years involved friends and family, and enjoying activities on the water. Dick passed away September 29, 2014 in Belfair, WA, the day before his 90th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Max, Ron and Jack; and his son, Rick. Surviving are his wife, June; son, John Burrell; daughters, Becky Burrell, Joanie Nelson, and Kerry Abbott; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Dick’s last months were spent at home on the shores of Hood Canal with the help of his caring and talented family and the incredible support of hospice. Please leave memories of Dick or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.