Richard E. Fonger

Richard E. Fonger 1940 ~ 2005 Our beloved husband, dad, brother, grandpa, and friend, Richard Evans Fonger, returned to his Heavenly Father May 8, 2005 after passing away in his sleep at his home of 36 years in Ruth, Nevada. Richard was born to Elizabeth Evans and Fred Richard Fonger in Salt Lake City, Utah December 15, 1940. Upon returning from an LDS mission to the Eastern Atlantic States Mission and serving with the Utah National Guard he married Shirley Ann Twitchell in the St. George Temple Sept. 10, 1966. Richard served the Lord as a husband, father, friend, bishop, high councilman and various other positions. He also served on the Ruth Town Council, Ruth-McGill GID Board and as the County Surveyor for White Pine and Lincoln Counties. He worked as a surveyor for various mining companies and completed a correspondence course to become licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor, Mineral Rights and Water Rights Surveyor. Upon being laid off from Kennecott, he started his own surveying company, Fonger Survey, which he operated until his death. As a father and surveyor he treasured the time he spent with his children throughout Nevada, Utah, and California. Richard enjoyed sharing time in the outdoors with family and friends, especially hunting, fishing, singing, Dutch oven cooking, four wheeling, and taking "shortcuts." He enjoyed learning about the people and ghost towns of the old west. Those who knew him will remember that he was always a joy to be around and his devotion to help others, unselfishness, and love of the Savior. He was quick to smile and always had a story. Some of his one liners that will be missed include "Don't take any wooden nickels," "Hold on to your hat, cowboy!" and "Don't fall down. . . Fall up!" Richard was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Fred (Hy). He leaves behind his beloved and eternal companion, Shirley, of Ruth, Nevada; daughter, Debra (John) Bainbridge of Spring Creek, NV; sons, Marc (Heather) of St. George, Evan (Emily) of Spring Creek, NV, and Lyndsay (Danette) of Ely, Nevada; sister, Kathleen (Jay) Christopher of West Valley City; and brothers, Robert (Denise) of Murray, and Floyd of Orem. Grandpa left behind nine grandsons and five granddaughters. A viewing will be held Thursday May 12, 2005 at the Ely, Nevada LDS Stake Center, 9:30 a.m. (PDT) and funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. (PDT). Interment will follow at the Enterprise City Cemetery at 5:30 p.m. (MDT)