Richard N. Stratton

Age 83, of Roseburg, OR, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2014. Dick was the youngest of seven children, born July 20, 1931, in Eugene, OR, to Vance and Louise Stratton.

At age 16 Dick began working in a bakery before school. He remained working there until he was drafted into the Army in 1951. He served 2 years, with his final year near the front lines in Korea. Initially Dick was a medic assistant to the psychiatric MASH unit. After his abilities as a baker were discovered he was placed as the head baker for his unit. He served the rest of his tour making all manner of bakery goods to the delight of his fellow soldiers. During this time he corresponded regularly with his childhood sweetheart Glenis Thompson, whom he first met in grade school.

After his discharge, Dick came back to Portland and went back to work at the bakery. He married Glenis, the love of his life on February 5, 1954. Within a few months Dick decided he didn't want to be a baker for the rest of his life so they traveled to Minneapolis, MN, to attend college and he became a lab and x-ray technician. While in MN, their son was born.

His first medical job was in Astoria, OR, where they welcomed the birth of their first daughter. He was hired by Myrtle Creek Hospital in 1957. They bought a home in Myrtle Creek and Dick worked at the hospital for almost 15 years. Their second daughter was born during this time.

In 1971 he left the hospital to realize his dream of starting his own business. He opened The Woodtique in Roseburg, an antique and unfinished furniture store. Dick and Glenis operated the business for 25 years. They built their dream home in Roseburg and became residents in 1977. Over the years they took many buying trips across the US, and even travelled to England and Wales in the hunt for fine antiques. They effectively retired from the business in 1996, and their son Rick, continues the restoration business to this day.

Dick had a love of boating. Over the years the family enjoyed many summer weekends waterskiing and sailing with friends. In their later years, Dick and Glenis were bitten by the golf bug, and became avid daily golfers. There were many outings to courses all over the country, but they most enjoyed playing at home and other Oregon courses with their many golfing friends.

In February of 2014, Dick and Glenis celebrated 60 years of marriage. They were still holding hands just like they did as teenagers whether just sitting on the couch or out and about together.

Dick was preceded in death by his daughter, Wanda Stratton; his brother Verner Stratton; and sisters Alberta Bramel, Evelyn Weaver, and Agnes Brown. He is survived by his wife Glenis, son Rick (Mellony) Stratton of Roseburg and daughter Leslie Stratton of Portland; grandchildren Nick Stratton, Gabe Stratton, Kayla Stratton, and Kyle (Sarah) Baird; great-granddaughter Eleanor Baird; sisters Helen Kramer and Gladis Doeneka; sister-in-law Martha Johnson; brother-in-law Tom (Lola) Thompson; niece Annette (Doug) Muhler; and many other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Roses, Harvard Ave. in Roseburg, on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.