Rick David Runninghawk

Rick David Runninghawk (formerly known as Ricky Melvin Newton), of Prairie City, Oregon succumbed to a long-term illness Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the age of 59.

Rick was born December 10, 1961 in Baker City, Oregon to Melvin Ernest Newton and the late Delores Ann (nee Trujillo) Goddard.

Raised in different locations throughout Oregon during his youth, Rick subsequently settled in Merrill, Oregon, and graduated from Lost River High School in 1980. It was during these formative years that he lived with his beloved adopted family, the late Russell Smith and Bernice (nee Powell) Mote.

He enlisted in the Army in 1988 and was appointed a Warrant Officer and AH-64 "Apache" pilot the following year upon his completion of flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Rick deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm over a six-month period while assigned to the 1st Infantry "Big Red One" Division where he distinguished himself by his bravery and service to our Nation.

He transitioned from the service after five years though he subsequently elected to re-join the Army after a three-year break.

Picking up where he left off, Rick resumed his job flying "Apache" helicopters. Eventually being assigned to both 1st Cavalry and the 24th Infantry Divisions, he would go on to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, accumulating nearly four and one-half years of designated imminent danger area service in Iraq.

Once again, displaying exemplary achievement and valor while conducting various missions, Rick would eventually earn two Air Medals, one with "V" device, a Bronze Star, and various other decorations.

He concluded his service to our Nation, retiring from active duty in 2012 after accumulating just over twenty years.

Rick returned to Oregon, living in various cities, before eventually moving to Prairie City. Always displaying an outgoing personality, he made an immediately positive impact upon the residents of the close-knit community. Rick would be hired as the store manager at Prairie Hardware and Gifts and earn his credentials as a volunteer fire-fighter.

This response, late in life, seemed very apropos as Prairie City was the place where his late grandparents, Logan Ernest and Mildred Opal (nee Stewart) Newton, lived from the 1950's through the passing of his grandfather, Logan, in 1989.

Perhaps the most rewarding period in his life, military service appealed to Rick who found fulfillment in its challenges, structure, and esprit de corps. He struggled with familial relationships throughout his life, though Rick displayed wondrous generosity and graciousness to those with who he was close. He also loved the outdoors, excelled at fishing and hunting, and was very musically gifted. Late in life, Rick became more reclusive largely due to the chronic pain and other ailments with which he struggled. At the very end, he was provided daily companionship by his beloved dog, Breezy the Doberman.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Delores (nee Trujillo) Goddard, who passed away in 2020.
He leaves behind four children and their families: his eldest son, Ricky Logan Newton of Bend, Oregon; his eldest daughter, Mallory Alexandra (nee Newton) Corcoran of Sisters, Oregon; his youngest daughter, Jesse S. Newton of Redmond, Oregon; and his adopted daughter, Ryann R. Runninghawk of Lebanon, Oregon.

Additionally, he leaves behind his father, Melvin Ernest, and stepmother, Norma Viree (nee Green) Newton of Albany, Oregon.

Also still living are his siblings: brother, Randall Dean Newton and sister-in-law, Annamarie LaPorte, of Whispering Pines, North Carolina; and sister, Crystal Ann (nee Newton) Knuths and brother-in-law, Dennis L. Knuths of Shedd, Oregon and John Grainger of Hillsboro, Oregon.

He also has numerous cherished grandchildren and other relatives who mourn his sudden and unexpected passing.

A celebration of life service will be planned in the future. To offer online condolences to Rick's family please visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to one of the following charities.

https://www.airwarriorcourage.com/donations.html

https://freedomservicedogs.org/donatefsd/

https://operationsecondchance.org/donate-now/

https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/