Walter L. Mick

Walter Leland Mick was born October 24, 1925 to Walter Lee Mick and Edith Victoria (Moore) Mick in Burnsville, West Virginia, a small town (population 300) nestled deep in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and died peacefully May 16, 2011 in Yakima, Washington. Walt went to grade school and high school in Burnsville during the great depression, studying at night by the light of the lamps burning the oil they skimmed from the top of Oil Creek that ran behind the house. He then served in the Navy on the USS Provo Victory, an ammunition carrier, during World War II. When on shore leave in Seattle, while his ship was undergoing repairs at the Bremerton Naval Shipyards, he met the love of his life Virginia Marie (Wilson) Mick at the Trianon Ballroom, jitterbugging to the Tommy Dorsey band. Walt and Ginger were married in Minneapolis, Minnesota August 26, 1947. They both attended what was then called Mankato State Teacher's College. Walt worked and went to school year round so he was able to graduate with a teaching degree in 3 years. It was during these years that Walt and Ginger started their family. He also found time to play football all 3 years, going both ways in those days, playing halfback on offense and linebacker on defense. He was named a Little All American halfback in 1949.

In the fall of 1950 Walt began his career in education teaching 8th grade at Wide Hollow Elementary School in Yakima. If you could think of one word to describe him it would have to be "educator". Every four years, beginning in 1952, he would load the entire family into whatever vehicle he owned and drive across the country. Camping and visiting with relatives along the way, he rarely took the same route twice, always ending up in Washington D.C. walking the halls of the Smithsonian, kids in tow. When the new West Valley High School opened in the fall of 1955, he was hired to design the layout of the new woodshop and to teach woodshop and mechanical drawing. A strict disciplinarian, he turned around the lives of many kids headed in the wrong direction. If you talked to anyone who knew him, they would tell you that, if anything, he was a straight shooter. He said what he did and did what he said. In 1959 Walt purchased a 22.5 acre apple orchard he cared for in his "spare time". In 1968 he became principal of Wide Hollow Elementary, retiring in 1980. During that time he was proud to have been awarded a Golden Acorn for exemplary service.

Another highlight of Walt's time on this earth was appearing on The Price Is Right. After he got onto the main stage and the curtain opened revealing a jukebox as the big prize he could win, Bob Barker said, "Walter took one look at that and said he could use about a dozen of those." He did go on to win the jukebox.

Walt and Ginger loved to sail the San Juan Islands in their Ericson 35, the "Gingerly", before and after retirement. He also had a passion for fishing. Many summer days were spent on the ocean out of Ilwaco or La Push trolling for salmon.

In 1982, they began a new adventure manufacturing pepper jellies they called Micks Peppourri. This is when Walt discovered there really is no retirement. He opened a store in the Pike Place Market to sell his jellies in 1994. He won many awards, shipped it all over the world, and continued contributing to the company for the remainder of his days.

Walt was a charter member of Christ Lutheran Church for 53 years and cherished his connection with the church. He gave freely of his time and resources throughout his life. The family is comforted knowing that he is in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by both his parents, brothers Wayne, Randal, and Joe, and sister Azalea.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Virginia M. Mick, brother Kermit Mick (Virginia) Thornville, Ohio, children Rodney L. Mick (Linda) Yakima, Pamela V. Lanias (Clifford) Mililani, Hawaii, Judy M. Stone (Denny) Yakima, Heidi J. Taylor (Todd) Yakima, Tadd W. Mick Yakima, 7 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cedar Hills Adult Residential Care and Memorial Hospice for the comfort and support they gave Walt in his final days. We love you all.

In leiu of flowers, donations can be made to West Valley Dollar’s for Scholars c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Avenue Yakima, WA 98902.

A Memorial Service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2011 at Central Lutheran Church 1604 W. Yakima Avenue. To share a memory of Walter visit, keithandkeith.com.

God's speed Dad. Rest in Peace. You were the best!