Frank Richards

Frank D. Richards of Union Gap, Washington passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, July 9, 2018 at the age of 80. Frank passed after a short, but hard fought battle with dementia. He was surrounded by many family members at his bedside. Frank Richards was born to Cecil and Rachel Richards on October 26, 1937 in Tacoma Washington. Frank married Karen Zuelke on March 1, 1958. They remained married for 57 years until Karen’s passing in October of 2015. Frank and Karen had 5 children. Frank had many jobs in their early years of marriage including jobs in a west coast furniture store, the Oreida potato processing plant, and Weyerhaeuser Mill. Frank followed his family roots in the lumber industry, when he settled the family in Yakima, going to work at Boise Cascade lumber mill in 1962. He remained there until he retired in December of 2000 after 38 years of dedicated service. Frank loved being outside where he spent countless hours gardening, working in his yard and tinkering with the many, many projects that peaked his interest. He was an avid collector of all things imaginable including his collection of antique farm equipment, lawn art and many things that reminded him of his early years spent as a farm boy. Frank was a dedicated family man whose motto was that family always comes first. He supported, encouraged and enjoyed all types of events that his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in. Wherever his children landed he visited them that included trips to Virginia, Texas, Montana and Idaho. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Rachel; his wife Karen; his brother Jimmy; two sisters Polly and Barbara; and one daughter Linda. Frank is survived by four children: Brenda and Gregg Reidt of Port Orchard, WA, Marvin Richards of Yakima, WA, Julie Richards of Missoula, MT, Mike and Lisa Richards of Yakima, WA, 9 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. A viewing will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home (2600 Business Ln, Yakima) on Monday, July 16 from 12noon-5pm. Graveside services will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park on Tuesday, July 17 at 10am followed by a Celebration of Life at the Eagles Club (307 W. Chestnut Ave) from 1-4pm. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Garden Village Nursing Home for their kindness, graciousness and exceptional care provided to Frank during his stay there. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frank Richards, please visit our flower store.