Kenneth Gerald Richards

Kenneth Gerald Richards, 85, of Missoula, passed away on March 15, 2013 at Saint Patrick Hospital of natural causes.

He was born on May 7, 1927 to Frank and Ada Richards on a farm at the edge of Granville, North Dakota. After his father's death, he moved in his early teens to Long Beach, California, with his mother, where he went to work for the United States Post Office at the age of 16. Ken worked there until joining the U. S. Army during World War II. He served in Europe at the conclusion of World War II after training with Company B of the 63rd Infantry at Camp Walters in Texas.

After his military service, Ken eventually moved to Missoula, Montana, where he married Ruby (Plummer) Strong who was then living in Spokane, Washington with her five children, Marcia, Barbara, Judy, Paula, and Tom. They moved to 523 Dearborn Avenue in Missoula, and added two sons to the family, Ted and Jim. Ken and Ruby raised all seven children at the home on Dearborn. Though Ruby and Ken divorced, they became close again in recent years. Ken's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were a source of great pride and joy to him.

Ken worked much of his life as a physical plant engineer at Missoula's hospitals. During his last 14 years, Ken lived at the Missoula Manor, where he found a wonderful home and a second family.

Ken was an avid walker, and lover of the outdoors. He enjoyed walking with friends and family throughout his life. He walked at a brisk pace, and stopped for breaks only to accommodate fellow walkers. Walking companions were often rewarded afterwards with ice cream cones at the Dairy Queen.

Ken loved music. He sang in choirs as a young man, once winning an award for his beautiful singing voice. He was a sports fan and avid follower of the Montana Grizzlies from the time he moved to Missoula, and was a little league baseball coach for many years. Ken was also a keen observer of politics and current events, and enjoyed many of the comedians of early television, particularly Red Skeleton, George Goebel, and Johnny Carson.

Ken described his final day at Saint Patrick Hospital as the "best going away party ever", a statement that captured the gratitude, courage, grace, humor, and love which characterized him during his later years. That last day was spent with all his children present either in person or by phone, along with Ruby, several sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Ken passed away in his sleep with family at his side.

Survivors include Ruby Wood, children Marcia Strong, Barbara Mordock (Tom), Judy Guthrie (Wendell), Paula Corrick (Steve), Tom Strong (Alice), Ted Richards (Lori) and Jim Richards (CamaLe), brother Theodore (Ted) Richards, grandchildren Maya, Tara, Vijay, Kim, Allyson, David, Elizabeth, Ruth, Julie, Paul, Pierce, Annie and Marcus, and great grandchildren Anne Marie, Mason, Ava, Andrew, Alex, Charlie Ann, Avery and Logan.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Kathleen Wells, Elaine Booth, Melba Neuman and Janet Echler, and brothers Ralph (Jim) Richards and William (Bill) Richards.

Services will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7405 Mullan Rd, Missoula, MT 59808 at 1p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Missoula Manor Retirement Home, 909 W. Central Ave, Missoula, MT 59801.


Read Kenneth Richards's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.