Obituary of Richard Dean Charette

Richard was born April 4, 1937 on the Chippewa Reservation in White Earth, Minnesota, to Peter Charette and Frances Fairbanks Charette and was one of nine children. Richard went home to be with the Lord on March 25, 2011. Richard, also known as Dick, served in the United States Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Korean War. He worked as a painter for many years, later became a business agent for the District Council # 5. He covered Tacoma, Aberdeen, and Olympia. Dick was actively involved in business with his wife Carol running the Opal Lounge on 56th and South Tacoma Way. Country music and dancing was a passion of his, all eyes were on Dick and Carol as they twirled and moved across the dance floor. They taught their three daughters how to dance at a young age. Their house and the Opal Lounge was always open to people. Dick loved people and with his ready smile and talkativeness, Dick made many friends everywhere he went. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were very much a treasured part of his life. Dick was a very generous man; he helped with food for the police officers in Lakewood and the Fire Department off South Tacoma Way. The Opal Lounge held a fundraiser for their great granddaughter for Cystic Fibrosis. He cooked many years for holidays to bring food to the bar. He loved the car show that was held every August on South Tacoma Way. Dick enjoyed playing golf, fishing on his boat in Alaska, and traveling all over the world. Dick especially loved to travel down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he had many dear friends. Dick was a life member of the Marine Corps League and AMVETs, he also belonged to the Eagles and Moose. Dick leaves behind a beautiful, loving wife, Carol Charette, their three beautiful daughters, Terrie (Duane) Stark of Alaska, Marie Piefer of Oregon, and Carol Gardner of California, also 11 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren, besides many extended family members. He also leaves his brothers: Gene-WA, Peter-MN, and Paul Charette-CA, and his sisters: Jean Ann Blair- WA, Verle Saylor- CA, and Marie Charette- WA. Family preceded in death includes his father Peter Charette, his mother Frances Charette, brother Douglas Charette, and sister JoAnn Miller. Dick was a beloved husband, father, and papa. He has touched so many people and will be forever missed. Dick is now rejoicing with his Lord. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 1st at 11 am in the Piper-Morley-Mellinger Funeral Chapel, 5436 S. Puget Sound Ave. Tacoma, WA 253-472-3353. Richard will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA. at 1:30.pm. Reception will follow gravesite. To my loving husband Dick, you are and still will be the love of my life! I love you with all my heart! Love Carol We are and will always be daddy's little girls! You will be forever in our hearts! We love and will miss our Papa and Poppy!