1936
Daniel
2022
Daniel R. Richards
April 19, 1936 — August 17, 2022
Daniel R. (Ron) Richards
1936-2022
Ron Richards, 86, of Seeley Lake, passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at home of natural causes.
The eldest of three children, he was born on April 19, 1936, in Jefferson Island, Montana, to William and Doris Richards. Ron graduated from Kalispell High School in 1956. While in high school, he participated in gymnastics. He also reached the rank of Star Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
While serving in the National Guard, Ron met and later married Glenna Rae Hanson on November 25, 1955. They were blessed with three children, Michael and twins, Jim and Jeff. The family lived in Kalispell and Ron worked as a saw filer in Columbia Falls.
On August 11, 1962, Ron married Anita Mae Leighton in Ronan, Montana. They were blessed with two children, Pamela and Randy and two stepchildren Debbie and Greg Foley. In 1963, they moved to Seeley Lake where Ron was a saw filer at Gray’s Mill. In 1966 Ron and his father started Richards Stud Mill, selling out in 1971 and started a new venture building wooden toys called Richards’ Timber Toys and Mining Enterprises. During the 1970’s he was the manager of the Seeley Lake Water District and worked at Pyramid Mountain Lumber Company. In the 1980’s he went back to logging with his sons Jim & Jeff. In 1993 Ron and his sons, Jeff and Michael formed Richards Logging Inc. and a dream of his became reality with a new concept of an “in woods” chipping operation. Ron retired (kind of) in 2003.
Loving the outdoors, Ron was an avid hunter, fisherman and became proficient at rockhounding all over Montana and surrounding states. He also enjoyed playing pool, bowling, golfing and running his trap line. Ron loved his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will miss “GG” greatly.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, William and Doris; his brother Doug; his sons Randy and Jim and wife Anita and special friend Sharon Bowman.
Survivors include his sister Donna Braun of Portland, Oregon; companion Glenna Rae Casper of Missoula; son Michael (Lynn) of Seeley Lake; son Jeff (Brenda) of Great Falls; daughter Pamela (Mark) of Kalispell; stepchildren Debbie Foley of Brookings, Or. and Greg (Cindy) Foley of Kalispell, 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and his many Seeley Lake friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 27th at the Seeley Lake Community Hall at 10:30 a.m. A reception luncheon and pie palooza will follow the service. Everyone is encouraged to wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, the Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Dept, or to a charity of your choice.
A private graveside service will take place later at Glacier Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, Montana.
Thank you to Garden City Funeral Home.
1936-2022
Ron Richards, 86, of Seeley Lake, passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at home of natural causes.
The eldest of three children, he was born on April 19, 1936, in Jefferson Island, Montana, to William and Doris Richards. Ron graduated from Kalispell High School in 1956. While in high school, he participated in gymnastics. He also reached the rank of Star Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
While serving in the National Guard, Ron met and later married Glenna Rae Hanson on November 25, 1955. They were blessed with three children, Michael and twins, Jim and Jeff. The family lived in Kalispell and Ron worked as a saw filer in Columbia Falls.
On August 11, 1962, Ron married Anita Mae Leighton in Ronan, Montana. They were blessed with two children, Pamela and Randy and two stepchildren Debbie and Greg Foley. In 1963, they moved to Seeley Lake where Ron was a saw filer at Gray’s Mill. In 1966 Ron and his father started Richards Stud Mill, selling out in 1971 and started a new venture building wooden toys called Richards’ Timber Toys and Mining Enterprises. During the 1970’s he was the manager of the Seeley Lake Water District and worked at Pyramid Mountain Lumber Company. In the 1980’s he went back to logging with his sons Jim & Jeff. In 1993 Ron and his sons, Jeff and Michael formed Richards Logging Inc. and a dream of his became reality with a new concept of an “in woods” chipping operation. Ron retired (kind of) in 2003.
Loving the outdoors, Ron was an avid hunter, fisherman and became proficient at rockhounding all over Montana and surrounding states. He also enjoyed playing pool, bowling, golfing and running his trap line. Ron loved his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will miss “GG” greatly.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, William and Doris; his brother Doug; his sons Randy and Jim and wife Anita and special friend Sharon Bowman.
Survivors include his sister Donna Braun of Portland, Oregon; companion Glenna Rae Casper of Missoula; son Michael (Lynn) of Seeley Lake; son Jeff (Brenda) of Great Falls; daughter Pamela (Mark) of Kalispell; stepchildren Debbie Foley of Brookings, Or. and Greg (Cindy) Foley of Kalispell, 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and his many Seeley Lake friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 27th at the Seeley Lake Community Hall at 10:30 a.m. A reception luncheon and pie palooza will follow the service. Everyone is encouraged to wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, the Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Dept, or to a charity of your choice.
A private graveside service will take place later at Glacier Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, Montana.
Thank you to Garden City Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel R. Richards, please visit our flower store.
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