Richard Checketts

Richard Fielding Checketts, 78, died Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, peacefully in his sleep at home.

Richard was preceded by his parents, sister, brother-in-law, son, and infant daughter. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter-in-law Cheryl; daughter Penney; son Paul and his wife, Carren; and 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Born April 3, 1938, in Ogden, Utah, Richard had a joyous and memorable childhood, but he sought to broaden his horizons and enlisted in the Air Force in 1955 as an Integrated Avionics Specialist. After joining the Air Force, Richard attended technical school at Scott AFB, Ill., where he met his soon-to-be wife, Barbara.

Together for almost 60 years, Barbara Little became Barbara Checketts on Sept. 12, 1956, when the two were joined in marriage in Saint Charles, Mo. Together, they had two sons, Richard and Paul, and two daughters, Tracy and Penney.

They enjoyed moving around the world, their children in tow, living in four countries and five states throughout his career.

Serving his country for 22 distinguished years, Richard retired in 1977 and remained in the town he came to call home. He and Barbara opened two businesses in Mountain Home, and he remained an active member of the community throughout his life.

Richard was first a reserve and then a full-time police officer with the Mountain Home Police Department for 22 years, retiring as a Lieutenant. He also stayed active as an EMT for the Elmore Ambulance Service, a little league coach, an active Scouting parent for Troop 57, a member of the American Legion, a member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks, a substitute teacher and even a Trustee on the Mountain Home school board.

Richard was a wonderful, loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was an active leader in our community and took great pride and joy in all aspects of his life.

Particularly, though, he would often reminisce about working with the area's youth and how, years later, he would hear them tell stories about how his interest and concern for them helped turn them around at a critical point in their lives. He will be remembered dearly, and missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at the Mountain Home Elks Lodge on Friday, Aug. 26, at 1 p.m. Donations to the local Elks lodge under the Richard Checketts scholarship are requested in lieu of flowers. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.