Richard Ray Crooks

April 23, 1929 - June 2, 2015 Richard passed away peacefully on June 2, 2015 after a brave and courageous fight with cancer. Richard was born April 23, 1929, in Los Angeles, Ca. to Dr. and Mrs. Lex Crooks. Richard grew up in Hollywood, Ca. where his father was a prominent Podiatrist and the famous Hollywood Hills sign was his playground. Graduating from Fairfax High School in 1947, Richard then joined the Navy 2 years later in 1949. Richard completed pre-flight training, successfully in Pensacola, Florida in 1952. In 1954, Richard was part of a group of Naval Aviators that successfully shot down two Communist planes that were threatening the rescue of a downed British Airways. Richard continued on, in the Navy Reserves, while attending USC and eventually changing to UCLA to receive a degree in Math. Despite several marriage proposals (by fan mail) and an offer to costar in a movie with Sterling Hayden....Richard married the one true love of his life, Ruth Mills. Richard and Ruth were married on January 7, 1956, in Winnipeg, Manitoba in -7 degree weather...a little much for a man from southern California, but well worth it. They would eventually leave California for the state of Washington where Richard got a job at Honeywell. Residing in Edmonds, Richard and Ruth raised their family in the same family home they have had for the last 54 years. Richard retired from Honeywell after 33 years...spending time with his family and golfing were some of his favorite past times. Richard is survived by his wife Ruth of 59 years, daughter Pam Hecker (Kiley), son R. Matthew Crooks and grandchildren Lauren, Brett and Emily and great-grandchild Jayden.