Melvin Ramsdell
1942-2016

Melvin A. Ramsdell, 74, lifelong resident of the Harbor, died at his home in the North River area Saturday, March 5, 2016. He was born Jan. 25, 1942 in Aberdeen, the son of Ronald Aaron and Ida Miriam (Bond) Ramsdell. He was raised in Cosmopolis and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1960. He would attend Grays Harbor College and would receive his certificate in welding.

When he left high school he worked in the seafood cannery in South Aberdeen. He served an enlistment in the US Army and upon his return to Aberdeen worked as a choker for Weyerhaeuser. He later worked on the Robert Gray Dredge for the Port of Grays Harbor. Meanwhile he married Sherry Boone in Cosmopolis on Aug. 19, 1966.

Melvin started work as a deck hand on tug boats for Quigg Bros./Allman Hubble Companies that would in a few years lead to becoming a captain on the tugs. For a while he was a boiler-man for Pacific Hardwoods and would open MR Coin Shop in Cosmopolis until he retired in 2009.

He belonged to the Grays Harbor Coin Club, serving as president. He was also a member of the Inland Boatsmen Union.

Melvin enjoyed gardening, collecting coins and most any memorabilia of local interest. He raised cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks and horses on their North River property.

Besides his wife Sherry (of nearly 50 years), Melvin is survived by a son Bryan (Cosmopolis); a daughter Teresa and husband Tim Sorrell, Cle Elum, WA ; three brothers, Everett, Raymond, Wayne and wife Linda, Aberdeen; and Ken (Aberdeen); sisters Arlene Gallington of Aberdeen and Judy Ramsdell of Kirkland.

A gathering of friends and family will be at 3 p.m. Friday, March 11 in the Dorothy Mann Reception Room at Fern Hill Funeral Home n Aberdeen.

Private inurnment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery, Cosmopolis.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P. O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA. 98109.

A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, 2208 Roosevelt St., Aberdeen 98520.


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