RICHARD WAYNE O'BANION

Columbia Memorial Funeral Chapel

Richard Wayne O'Banion passed away on January 21, 2011. He was born May 16, 1927, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, to Clemence and Myrtle O'Banion. He was one of 10 children, with 4 sisters and 5 brothers. Richard graduated from Provo High School in Igloo, South Dakota, in 1945. He later attended the Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota, and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, studying business administration. Richard served his country in the United States Army from August of 1945 to January 1947. He began in construction in 1951, working on the Garrison Dam in North Dakota. In 1952, he began a 27-year career with Guy F. Atkinson, a major construction company as a business manager. He worked on many dams and freeways throughout Washington, Oregon and California as a business manager and in labor relations. In 1978, he returned to the Tri-Cities and worked for Jones Company at Hanford. In 1983, he worked for Blount, a major construction company in Michigan and Texas. He retired from construction in 1986 and returned again to the Tri-Cities. He was an officer of the Kennewick Valley Grange for about 10 years. He continued business as a private lender during his retirement.

Richard enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, collecting coins and playing cards. He was a devoted father and family man. Later in life, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was a member of the American Legion and Pasco Senior Center.

Richard is survived by his wife, Ardith O'Banion of Pasco, WA; daughters, Darlene O'Banion of San Jose, CA; Debbra Houk of Las Vegas, NV; Diana Thornton of Goldendale, WA; and Donna O'Banion of Superior, Wyoming; 2 sisters, Margaret Ross of Pasco, WA; and Onral King of Anchorage, AK; 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Viewing will be held Friday, January 28, 2011, from noon - 5:00 p.m. at Columbia Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 29, 2011, at Columbia Memorial Chapel in Pasco, WA, and graveside services will immediately follow at Columbia Memorial Gardens in Pasco, WA, followed by a reception at the American Legion in Pasco, WA, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA, 99336, or donate to leukemia research (of your choice).