Harry Richards, 86

Harry L. Richards, 86, died peacefully in his sleep on March 8, 2004 at Elmore Medical Center following a battle with cancer.

Services will be held Friday, March 12, at 1 p.m. at Summers Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Harry was born Feb. 23, 1918, in Stevens Point, Wisc., the first of three boys, born to Harry and Margaret Richards. Harry's father worked for the railroad and in 1920 his family was relocated to San Diego, Calif. Harry graduated high school in 1936 at San Diego High.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1941 serving on three different ships, two of which were sunk during World War II. He obtained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class and was discharged in 1945.

He became a plumber and worked it into his own successful plumbing contracting company until 1978 when he sold the business to take care of his wife, Nordeen, when she became ill. He then spent the next 13 years caring for her until her death in 1990.

He met Faye Dench in 1991 and they were married in 1993. Harry and Faye moved to Mountain Home to be closer to Faye's daughter, Mae.

"It didn't take Harry long to fall in love with Idaho and everything it had to offer," his family said. "He was an avid sportsman and loved his horses, especially his buckskin mare, Ruby. They were constant companions on numerous deer and elk hunting trips along with friends that he introduced hunting on horseback from his cabin in Pine." He also loved fishing, from the coast of California with his son in-law, Lee, to Hells Canyon steelheading with Doug and Kurt.

"Harry was a very kind man and was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone in need," his family said. "He inspired everyone he met with a positive outlook on life and his friendly nature. He will be missed by all of his close friends here in Idaho."

He was an active member of American Legion Post No. 26 and Elks Lodge No. 2276 in Mountain Home.

Harry is survived by: his wife, Faye Richards; his stepchildren, Phil Dench from Las Vegas, Nev.; Greg McAllister and his wife, Carla, from Houston, Texas; Kim Nelson, her husband, Lee, from Temecula, Calif.; Mae Beaver and her husband, Doug, from Mountain Home; and Penny Singh from Mountain Home; and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BPOE Lodge #2276 in Mountain Home.