Richart F. Yount

LCDR. Richart F. “Rick” Yount, USN (Ret.) retired Naval Officer, departed this life on Friday night, Aug. 18 on Whidbey Island at the age of 67. He lived a full and wonderful life with his wife of 40 years, his daughter and his son. Rick grew up on a 600-acre cattle farm in Macon, Miss., moving there as a child. He graduated from high school in Macon and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Rick returned to Macon following his first tour in the Navy to work and attend college at MSCW and Mississippi State University. While attending college, Rick met Martha Vann and they were married in Starkville, Miss. on Feb. 16, 1964.

Rick returned to the Navy. He had combined service as an Enlisted sailor, Chief Petty Officer, Warrant Officer and finally as a Commissioned Officer. He also continued his education, obtaining a degree from Chapman University in Business Administration and Economics. He retired from the Navy on June 30, 1985 as a Lieutenant Commander with 27 years of service.

Rick and Martha opened Whidbey Island Computers in Oak Harbor following his retirement and maintained that business for 20 years. Rick also taught school for California Regency for Education program; for Skagit Valley College and for Emery Riddle University.

Rick had many achievements in his life. He earned a Professional FCC Radio Station license at the age of 13, working at a radio station, helping with broadcasting and equipment maintenance. He was also a private pilot. He was a fisherman and loved fly-fishing. He loved to go camping with his family and, in later years, to travel in his RV with his wife, allowing them to see almost all of the United States as they visited with family and friends. Rick loved music, playing the guitar and woodworking. He loved being with his family and visiting with his only grandson.

Rick was a 32-degree Mason, a member of the York Scottish Rite and a member of the Shriners. He was a life member of the DAV and TROA and the Kiwanis Club of Oak Harbor and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. He loved to volunteer and give of his time and talent to service organizations.

Rick was a very spiritual person with deep beliefs in family love, religion and life. He was a person of the greatest level of integrity. He was a giving person, a kindhearted man and a wonderful person who will be loved and remembered forever by his wife Martha, his daughter Ann Vyce, his only grandchild Joseph Vyce and Philip Vyce of Virginia, his son Ronald Yount and Jenifer Yount of Coupeville, WA; his sister Sarah Anthony and husband John of Greenwood, Mississippi, a niece, nephew, as well as many other family members and friends. He made the world a better place by being a part of it.

In honor of his memory, his family asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to help continue his work and commitments to one of the following local groups: The Oak Harbor Kiwanis Club Scholarship Fund; Habitat for Humanity; Disabled American Veterans; the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society; the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. For assistance with donations, please contact burley Funeral Chapel.

Memorial services for Richart Yount will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 at Burley Funeral Chapel with CDR. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret) officiating. Full military honors will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Private family inurnment will follow at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.