Milton Jesse Unick, Sr.

Milton Jesse Unick, Sr., age 92, of Ferndale, passed away at his home surrounded by his family, Monday, November 3, 2014.  He was born January 5, 1922 in Ferndale, Washington to parents Jesse James and Matilda Louise (Roehrich) Unick.

 Milton graduated Ferndale High School in the Class of 1940.  He Joined the US Navy September 12, 1940 and was Honorable Discharged November 19, 1946 as an Aviation Machinist Mate, Second Class.  He did his Aviation Machinist training in Corpus Christy, Texas.  During WWII he was stationed in Recife Brazil.   Following the War he traveled throughout the South Pacific, including Tinian Island, Fernando Island, the Hawaiian Islands and Guam.  He learned to fly in the Navy and it was one of his most enjoyed experiences.

 After being discharged from the US Navy, Milton worked from:

1947 – 1965 in the woods as a logger and in the sawmill; 1965 – 1969 he worked at Uniflite as a boat handler for the riverboats made for Vietnam War and in late

1969 he went to work at Intalco Aluminum Corporation until his retirement in 1986.

 In the 50’s he bought the family homestead on Kickerville Rd from his sisters and brother.  In 1960 he met Helen, the lady of his dreams and they were married October 20, 1961 in the United Church of Ferndale.   He also became a father to Debbie (4) & Greg (3) at this time.  They spent their honeymoon in a hunting camp at Rendezvous Pass, Winthrop, WA.

 In December of 1964 the family homestead was sold to Intalco Aluminum Corporation and they moved to their new home on the Hemmi Road where their kids grew up on 53 acres, farming and raising a small herd of cattle.  Milton loved to cut firewood, work in his gardens, growing some of the most beautiful azaleas, roses, tulips, daffodils and mums.  He also loved their family drives up into the hills, camping and traveling around the United States.  He was a man of few words with a great sense of humor.  In his quite way, you knew he loved his wife and family deeply.   

 Milton was preceded in death by his father and mother; baby sister Lela Unick & sister, Lillian Anderson; brother, Francis Unick and son-in-law Earl Baker.

 He is survived by  his wife Helen of 53 years; children Debbie Baker, Theresia Russell, and Milton (Diana) Unick, all of Ferndale and Greg Woodman of Bow; 15 grandkids and 19 great-grandchildren; sisters Lucille Core of Ferndale and Loralee Anderson of Poulsbo; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family would like to give thanks to a special doctor whom Milton considered a friend, Dr. David Jessup.  Additional thanks go out to the special care given by the Whatcom Hospice Team.  Family suggests memorials be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225 or Ferndale Volunteer Firefighter Association, P.O. Box 321, Ferndale, WA 98248.

 A Celebration of Life was held Friday, November 07, 2014  at the United Church in Ferndale.