James Riach, Lynnwood's Attorney

Memorial services for James Gaylord Riach, who was attorney for the city of Lynnwood for 30 years, will be held Thursday at the Nile Country Club in Mountlake Terrace.

Mr. Riach died last Thursday of a heart ailment while working at a golf course he owned near Cle Elum in Eastern Washington, said his son, Ron Riach. He was 67.

"He was the first city attorney for Lynnwood . . . and he was one of the best people in municipal law in the state," said former Lynnwood Mayor M.J. Hrdlicka.

Mr. Riach became Lynnwood's city attorney in 1959. His Lynnwood law firm, Riach, Gese, Seather, represents the city.

Several years ago, Mr. Riach opened a private golf course and slowly started pulling away from law.

Mr. Riach was born in Pacific Grove, Calif., on Oct. 25, 1926. He served in the Army before leaving the service as a corporal in 1946. He received his law degree from the University of Washington eight years later.

Ron Riach remembers his father as a tenacious survivor who twice was given six months to live by doctors because of heart-related illnesses. Mr. Riach had two major surgeries during his lifetime, the last a quadruple bypass six years ago.

Mr. Riach is survived by his wife, Ella; brothers Harris and Don Riach; daughter Karen Bradford; sons Greg, Ken, Bryan and Ron; and several grandchildren.

The memorial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Nile Country Club, 6601 244th St. S.W. in Mountlake Terrace. Remembrances may be made to the UW Medical School.