Rick Allen Gridley, 70, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away Saturday, October 20, 2018. He was born in Santa Maria, California to Paul Wesson and Patricia Joann (Harrington) Gridley Powell.

Rick served in the Untied States Army as a 62K20 grader operator and heavy equipment operator from February 5, 1969 to December 1, 1970. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Rick lived in Colorado, El Cerrito, California, Coos Bay, and North Bend. He came to Sweet Home in 1992 with his sister, Cindy Golden, and brother-in-law, Allen Golden. Rick met his wife, Reba Gilbert, in 1996, and they married in 1998. He became step-father to two children, then became PaPa Rick to five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He loved fishing, hunting, and visiting with friends while watching football. He was an avid Raiders fan. He also enjoyed going to the coast, playing cards, Dominos or Upwords board games. He also loved building things, bird houses, and construction work.

Rick is survived by his wife, Reba Gilbert-Gridley, of Sweet Home; step-children John Gilbert and Tonya Gilbert Golden of Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren Terry McCleary of Sweet Home (previously, Ohio), Rosie Golden of Mapleton, and Levi Golden, Jeb Golden, Chloee Golden of Anchorage, Alaska; great-granddaughter Brylee McCleary of Sweet Home; brother-in-law Allen Golden of Madras; nephew Jon Golden of Anchorage; nieces Erica Sandavol of Golden, Colorado, Nellie Baker of Swisshome, and Nickie Kirkland of Gold Beach; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Paul Gridley, in 1998; mom Patricia Powell in 2012; brother Jeff Gridley in 2017; grandsons J.J. Golden in 1994 and Chance D. Golden in 2001; and sister-in-law Wynona Golden.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 9, at Sweet Home VFW. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the GoFundMe.com page that is being set up.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.