Kenton Richards

Redding - Kenton Richards, age 89, said his final "so long" to his loving family on January 14, 2026, at his home in Redding, CA.

Ken was born to Ozella Bostick Richards and Edwin Richards on April 18, 1936. He was named after the Kenton Mine, in the CA Sierras where his father worked. In the early 1940's the family, which now included Ken's sister, Lynn moved to Napa, CA.

Ken graduated from Napa High School in 1954 and will forever be a Napa High Indian.

Ken married young and had his children, Athena ("Tina"), Stephen ("Steve"), and Laura. The marriage didn't last, and in a time where it was not common, Ken raised his children as a single father. He sometimes worked three jobs to make ends meet and sacrificed much to ensure his children were well cared for.

Ken worked as a California Highway Patrol officer from 1967 until his retirement in 1994. During this tenure, he worked in San Francisco, Solano, Napa and Siskiyou counties.

Ken married the love of his life, Dolly Watkins, in 1991 after being together for 13 years at that point. In 1982 they moved from Napa to Mount Shasta, CA where he loved to look at the majestic mountain. There he loved to work on home building projects, garden, hike the nearby hills, smell the mountain air and drink the clean, fresh water.

Throughout his life, Ken had many dogs. His favorite, by far was Sophie, a St. Bernard, who stole his heart and left him too soon. No other dog was able to fill the space he had in his heart for her.

Ken spent the last 10 years on dialysis, spending at least 3 days a week at DCI in Redding or US Renal in Napa. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful caregivers who helped Ken during this process, with special thanks to Eddie Whittaker who has been very helpful these past years.

Ken was predeceased by his parents, Ozella Bostick and Edwin Richards.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Dolly Richards, his sister Lynn Uhlich and his children Athena Berg (Jim), Stephen Richards (Shannon), and Laura Highshoe. Ken is also survived by his grandchildren, Heather Highshoe, Kenton "Kenny" Richards, Casey Richards, Thomas Highshoe, Michelle Berg, Joseph "Joey" Highshoe, and Michael "Mikey" Berg.

The family will miss the man who taught us what love looks like and how to play a mean hand of pinochle. We are sure he is hiking the hills with Sophie and winning pinochle games as usual. So long, Ken, - we live and love well because of you.

The family will have a private interment at Johnsville Cemetery, Plumas County, CA at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org