Melvin Aaron Ramsdell, 74, lifelong resident of the Harbor, died at his home in the North River area, Saturday, March 5, 2016. He was born January 25, 1942 in Aberdeen, the son of Ronald Aaron and Ida Miriam (Bond) Ramsdell. He was raised in Cosmopolis and had 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 would work 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 August 19, 1966.
Melvin started work as a deck hand on tug boats for Quigg Brothers/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 Boatmans’ 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 and nearly 50 years, Sherry, Melvin is survived by a son: Bryan Ramsdell, Cosmopolis; a daughter: Teresa and husband Tim Sorrell, CleElum, WA; three brothers: Everett, Raymond, Wayne and wife Linda, Aberdeen and Ken, Aberdeen; two sisters: Arlene Gallington, Aberdeen and Judy Ramsdell, Kirkland.
A gathering of friends and family will be at 3 PM Friday, March 11th in the Dorothy Mann Reception Room at Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Private inurnment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery, Cosmopolis.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P.O. Box 19024, Settle, 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.

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