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John Raymond Sullivan
06/14/1929 — 06/10/2010
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Lowell, MA
John Raymond Sullivan
John R. Sullivan
John Raymond Sullivan was born the fourth of five children, June 14, 1929, to Jane Stack Sullivan and Edward Joseph Sullivan in Lowell, Massachusetts. The family relocated in Richland in 1944 when John was 14, his father went to work for General Electric on the Manhattan Project.
He attended Columbia High and played on the tennis team. He was in the first complete graduating class in 1946. He attended Gonzaga University and was drafted in the Army in 1951 serving in the Medical Corp. and honorably discharged in 1953. He was commissioned 2nd Lt. Upon discharge he returned to Gonzaga and graduated from Law School in 1957. John started his private practice in Richland, Washington. John was active in local politics as District Court Judge, Police Judge, and Democrat Precinct Committeeman. He served on the Richland City Council and was elected Mayor in 1962. He was active in the campaigns of Senators Jackson, Magnuson, president Kennedy and Governor Rossellini.
John moved to Rockport Washington in 1984 to pursue his hobby of mountain climbing. Climbing took him from Alaska to Argentina. He also was a marathon runner and ran the Boston Marathon in 1998.
John was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Edward, Barbara, Paul and Everett. John is survived by his wife Rose Lynn Sullivan of 25 years, Richland, former wife, Helen Sullivan-Mowery of Richland; children, Karen Sullivan-Schwebke Ethan of Kennewick, Brian Sullivan of Seattle, Katherine Sullivan MacDougall Scott of Everett, Karla Sullivan Blain David of Kennewick; grandchildren Kyla Coffey Michael of Richland, Ryan Blain of Pullman, Noah Schwebke of Los Angeles, and Eli Schwebke of Kennewick; great grandson Nicolas Coffey of Richland.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 13th, 5-8pm at Einan's Funeral Home, 915 By-Pass Highway; Rosary is Monday, June 14th, 7:00pm at Einan's Funeral Home. A funeral will be held on, Tuesday, June 15th, at 11:00am at Christ the King with a graveside service following the funeral at Resthaven Cemetery in Richland. The family invites you to a reception after the graveside at Memories at Sunset Event Center.
Donations can be made to Quail Hollow Memory Care Community, 221 Torbett, Richland, WA 99354.
A flood of memories have come over me these last two days. I worked for JRS for seven years, leaving only to move to Spokane and Gonzaga University. I just moved back to Richland in 2006 – I had no idea John was here. He was an important influence in my life, and I, too, feel a loss.
Here’s to BushMills, my friend.
God be with you!
John Sullivan Brian’s dad steered me out of trouble in his distinctive way. It was one warm summer’s eve in 1995 and I had the music up loud heading up to Cascade Pass, speeding through Concrete. According to the officer I was inebriated sufficiently to merit the breathing machine. What to do? Hey I know a legal guy right here in Concrete, I call him and he says, blow into the damn tube. OK, I was drunk. John showed me how to handle this, and I made it through the two years and then several more in recovery. Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.
We will miss you.
Our hearts are with you and your
family Rose.
Brian, I was sorry to see your dad had passed. One of the things that drove me to start running was the Herald article about him running Boston in 1995. I’m sorry now that of all the times I drove past his office in Concrete on the way to my cousin’s house, I never stopped in to say hello. My condolences go out to all the Sullivans today.
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John Raymond Sullivan