Richard Alley

1935 - 2018

Richard Alley obituary, 1935-2018, Eureka, CA

BORN

1935

DIED

2018

Richard Alley Obituary

RICHARD ALLEY Richard Alley went to be with his loving Jesus on July 9, 2018. Richard was born in Salina, Kansas on March 7, 1935 to Pauline and Glen Alley. Richard married Diane Holman and had three daughters, whom he cherished to the day he passed. After finishing eighth grade at St. Bernard Elementary School, Richard became a jack-of-all-trades. Initially, Richard was a fire fighter for the State of California, as he had the opportunity to be suspended from the fire helicopters to put out fires. After he married Diane and had their first daughter, Cindy, he began working at the Eureka City Corporation Yard, as a mechanic, which he liked the least of all his employments! He went onto drive a delivery truck for Pepsi Cola with his longtime friend, Bub Cleasby, whom he loved and worked with at the corporation yard also. Richard then discovered his real gift in construction. He began working as a carpenter for Ralph Lindstrom through the Carpenter's Union, where he was known as Dick Alley. After several years, Richard left the carpentry to become an ace-construction millwright for the Northern California Millwrights Local 102. Richard was a shop steward for many years, as his bargaining ability for his co-workers was exceptional. He was known as one of the best general foreman in his line of work. The superintendent relied on Richard for fixing and repairing the most intricate problems at mills all around California and Oregon. Richard had an incredible ability to re-design blueprints received from the engineers, making them work for several jobs. Richard was a great teacher to many men in the trade: Jeep Pryor, Matt Kunkler, Clay Schwab, and Terry McCutchen. In Richard's last days, he talked of each of these men, as they were an important part of a very enjoyable part of his life. After their daughters were all married, Richard and Diane spent many years traveling in their travel trailer to different locations throughout California for Richard's work as a construction millwright. Those were wonderful and memorable times for the two of them. Richard loved to hunt, fish and dive for abalone. Some of his best times were shared with his buddies: Bub Cleasby, Norm Brogie, Hal Braafladt and his brother, Kenny Alley. Richard and Kenny were known as the road hunters during their hunting days in Garberville and were quite lucky at it! They spent many cherished and memorable hunting trips with Jerry, David, Cindy, Barbara and Christine. Richard was the pillar of Christ in his home. He made it a priority to worship Jesus and take his girls to mass every Sunday, where they joined their Grandma Pauline and Auntie Rose in the same pew every week. It was because of his dedication to Jesus Christ and his commitment to raise his children in the Lord that his daughters love and worship Jesus Christ today. Sunday church was almost always followed with a family picnic, where the girls' best friends, Jody, Lisa and Angie, joined for a fun game of kickball or softball. It was always a day full of fun, love and laughter. Following Richard's retirement, he always had a project, whether it was working on his cousin Rita's house, his daughters' homes, flipping houses (before HDTV was popular! and the last one with his cherished buddy, Axel Backman, whom he is with in heaven now), perfecting his summer places in Meyers Flat and Willow Creek, or growing his beautiful gardens (especially his delicious tomatoes and beautiful petunias). He had an incredible ability to turn everything he touched to gold! Following a broken leg in February 2018, Richard resided at the Humboldt House Lodge, assisted living facility in Eureka. Here he found new friends that he touched and was, in turn, touched by. His special friends: Susan, Brent, Christine, Amber, Barbara and Walter, along with all the others, were an inspiration and encouragement to Richard in these last months. He continually shared with us girls how nice everyone was to him at Humboldt House Lodge and the wonderful care he continually received to the very last day here. More than anything, Richard LOVED. He had the most sweet and loving spirit that sparkled everywhere he went. In his last days, he said over and over, "Above all things - LOVE". Richard didn't just talk the talk but walked the walk. Prior to being committed to the Shepherd's Chapel, he was a devout Catholic and member of Sacred Heart Church of Eureka. As of late, Richard loved his worship time with his new friends at Humboldt House Lodge, as they frequented Calvary Baptist Church of Eureka. Richard was aware that he was a vagabond in this temporary world and looked forward to being at the foot of Jesus for eternity. Holidays, birthdays and summers were always a special time for Richard and his family. We all enjoyed many good times in Meyers Flat and then at their summer home in Willow Creek. He always enjoyed barbecuing, whether it was in the heat or at home in his beautiful brick patio that his grandsons, Clay and Clint, tirelessly built to their grandfather's perfection. Richard was extremely proud of his daughters, son-in-laws and their children, and now their grandchildren's children! He felt truly blessed. His love for his girls was deep and they felt it to the day he passed. He was the most loving and caring father a daughter could ever hope for. His legacy will continue to grow through their children and their children's children, as his love for Christ has empowered them all. Richard was preceded by his wife, Diane Alley; mother, Pauline Alley; father, Glen Alley; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth & Frankie Alley; and nephew, David Alley. Richard is survived by his three loving daughters and spouses: Cindy (Daniel) Hicks, Barbara (Douglas) Hooper and Christine (Scott) Williams. His seven grandchildren and their spouses: Haley Hicks, Clayton (Rachelle) Hicks, Kyle (Kelly) Hooper, Clinton (Rose) Hooper, Kendra (Ryan) Shepherd and Nolan and Alley Williams. His eight great-grandchildren: Bowdy, Carson and Crew Hicks; Paige and Brynn Hooper; Gracelynn, Kenadee and Aimzlee Shepherd. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Jerry Alley, Wade Holman and Amy Holman and their children and grandchildren; his cousins: Don Burghart (Joyce), Rita Sicard, Joan Burghart and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Richard's Celebration of Life is Saturday, July 14, 2018, 11 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church of Eureka, 3400 F Street, reception to follow at Barbara's home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Humboldt House Lodge - Growth & Development Scholarship Fund, 4140 F Street, Eureka, CA 95503. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com

Published by Times-Standard from Jul. 12 to Jul. 13, 2018.
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So sorry for Richards passing he was a thoughtful and caring man his wife and family were very important to him . Cecil and I and the Grant Parrish family would socialize in our younger years .Love ,hugs and prayers ..

Earline Yosy- Shaw

July 20, 2018

To the Alley family,

I am so sorry for our loss. He was a great man and truly admired by me. Just mentioning my name in the obituary made me cry. To have him put me in the same standing with Jeep, Matt and Clay makes me proud. I was amazed that I meant that much to him. The world loss a great man. For that I am sorry. I have some great stories from my heavy construction years and they do include him. He was the best teacher anyone could ask for.

Cyndi I am sorry that I missed the service for Dick. I was out of town.

Terry McCutchan

July 19, 2018

He was a man to be admired. I enjoyed knowing him.

Deborah Boyd

July 13, 2018

Richard was a warm and beautiful man who lit up the room and the hearts of those around him. I was honored to meet him and enjoyed his stories. He loved talking about his daughters. He was so proud of each one. A similar radiance shines through each of you. I am deeply sad for your loss. His gentle, loving heart was a gift to my mother when she needed it most and I will always be thankful and remember him.

Susan BLOCH-WELLIVER

July 13, 2018

Leonard Ronlund

July 12, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Leonard Ronlund

July 12, 2018

Leonaed Ronlund

July 12, 2018

Cindy,

I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Though I did not know him I am sure he was a kind and gentle man. You learned very well because you are the same way. Will keep you in my thoughts.

Take care--Chris Deniston.

Christopher Deniston

July 12, 2018

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Jul

14

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

Calvary Baptist Church of Eureka

3400 F Street, CA

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