Local News: Wednesday, July 23, 2003
H. Warren Ghormley, 84, co-founder of Dick's

By Cal Blethen
Seattle Times staff reporter

H. Warren Ghormley, a co-founder of Seattle's famous Dick's Drive-In restaurant chain and its managing partner for more than 30 years, died Saturday (July 19).

Mr. Ghormley, 84, had battled Alzheimer's disease for the past several years.

Mr. Ghormley was a man of dignity, passion and commitment, said his eldest son, David, who described his father as a lifelong follower of the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

Business partners Richard "Dick" Spady (after whom the chain was named), the late Dr. B.O.A. Thomas and Mr. Ghormley opened the first Dick's Drive-In in 1954, focusing on high-quality fast food, a clean kitchen and quick service, values that Mr. Ghormley upheld in his day-to-day management of the restaurants.

"When he thought about serving customers, he felt the service had to be the best it could be. He wanted people to be taken care of," said David Ghormley, who worked as a manager at the drive-ins. His brother and sister spent some time behind the counter as well.

" 'Ghorm' was one of the best administrators I've ever known," Spady said. "He was always very fair, capable and respectful of people."

Mr. Ghormley grew up in Canada. His mother raised him and his two sisters alone and referred to H. Warren as "the man of the family."

He moved to the Puget Sound area in 1936, doing odd jobs to support the family. He and his wife, Gerry, met in 1941, shortly before he enlisted in the Army.

He served until the end of World War II and later graduated with honors from Pacific Lutheran University.

Mr. Ghormley eventually decided he wanted to run a business but didn't know what kind, his son said. He got in touch with Spady and Thomas, who saw fast-food restaurants flourishing in Southern California and figured the concept could succeed in Seattle. The first Dick's Drive-In opened in Wallingford at its present location on Northeast 45th Street.

Today, there are five Dick's restaurants in Seattle, and the business will celebrate its 50th anniversary in January.

Business aside, Mr. Ghormley's first love was boating, according to David Ghormley.

Growing up in a home overlooking Vancouver's Burrard Inlet, Mr. Ghormley had developed a case of boating fever that would last a lifetime.

"I could always picture this little kid standing on the shore, fascinated by all the ships coming in," David Ghormley said. "By the time the business was off the ground, one of his first things to do was get a boat. As soon as he got the opportunity ... the boat was there."

Mr. Ghormley liked to spend as much time as possible on the water, using his vacations to go boating in the San Juan Islands and Desolation Sound.

He also enjoyed taking cruises, and he and his wife traveled around the world at least three times, their son said.

In addition to his wife and son David, Mr. Ghormley's survivors include David's wife, Mary Anne; son Thomas and his wife, Candi, of Seattle; daughter Susan Worthy and her husband, Lee, of Seattle; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

At Mr. Ghormley's request, there will be no funeral service. Remembrances may be sent to the scholarship fund at Pacific Lutheran University.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company

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