Richard Fairchild

Richard Wayne Fairchild
PORTLAND, Ore. - After patiently enduring many years of colon cancer, Richard Wayne Fairchild, 62, passed away on Monday morning, April 30, 2007, with his wife, Alta, daughter, Patricia, sister, DeEsta, and son, Ralph, at his side in Portland, Oregon.
Richard was born in Santa Barbara, California, on September 1, 1944, to Chris M. and Loraine C. Fairchild. He stayed with his mother and grandparents in Groveland, Idaho, while his father was away serving his country during World War II. He grew up in Pocatello, graduating from Pocatello High School in 1962.
Richard was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a member of the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed playing horseshoes, bowling and darts. He had won many trophies and awards for playing darts.
Richard was a Little League coach for several years. As a young teen, he helped his father on his milk routes, and then on the big moving van, moving furniture around the country. He was a big brother and mentor to his brothers and sisters.
When he had his first real job, a milk route, his father was in a serious accident and was not able to work for months. It was Richard who supported the family until his father was able to work again.
He married his first wife, Marilyn Kay Jones, in 1965. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a cement finisher, until he could no longer work because of his cancer. Richard worked on many roads and buildings in Portland as well as throughout the Northwest. The big malt plant on Highway 30 in Pocatello was one of the out-of-state buildings he helped construct.
Marilyn and Richard had two children, Jerry Chris (Annette), born April 10, 1966, and Patricia Lee, born May 6, 1968. They later divorced.
After many years of working hard he met the love of his life, Alta Long. They were married on his mother's birthday, April 9, 1995, after a four-year courtship. He became very close to Alta's two sons and they became his, Ralph Curtis Long and Marion Bradley Long (Lisa).
He has 12 grandchildren and four step-grandchildren, Alicia, Aaron, Barbara, Jordan, Cameron, Deseree, Samantha, Ethan, Felicity, Gavin, Heidi, Joseph, Sheena, Tamara and Tyler. He is survived by his wife; children and grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Sharon Lee Fougerousse, DeEsta Gregory (Curtis), Gary Chris, Rhea Fairchild, Garth M. ( Sue), Dennis Bruce (Linda), Irene Gregory (Gary), Father Chris Fairchild; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Loraine, twin brother and sister, Gordon Dean and Gloria, brothers-in-law, Larry Fougerousse, Noble VanDolah, Edwin VanDolah, John VanDolah, Brett VanDolah, Joseph VanDolah, sisters-in-law, Nina Fairchild and Harriet King.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 5, 2007, 11 a.m. in the Cornelison-Henderson Funeral Chapel, 431 N. 15th Ave. The family will receive friends Friday evening, May 4 from 6 to 8 p.m., and an hour before services at the Cornelison-Henderson Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Groveland Cemetery. There will be a memorial service at the Dailey Double for his friends and co-workers in Portland, Oregon, at a later date.