Merl Lynn Richards

I, Merl Lynn Richards, was born in Salt Lake City on June 14, 1943, to Ben F. and Jessie D. Richards. I was the middle child of five boys: brothers Robert, Lee, Stewart, and George. Though I was born in Salt Lake City, I’m an Ogden boy through and through, attending elementary through high school there, even a little college at Weber State. I met a lot of great friends and made a ton of great memories in Ogden. I grew up in the best of times.

Being born on Flag day, it was only natural that I was a true patriot and loved America, serving in the U.S. Navy, where I was stationed on the USS Paracutin AE-18, from 1961 thru 1964. During that time, I made three Westpac deployments while I was aboard the naval ammunition ship. My old man always said he shipped me off to the Navy because I fell in love with a girl, but either way, it was an experience of a lifetime, and I was able to see the world.

I have had several jobs that shaped me over the years, too many to mention. I worked as a sign sales executive for EPCON and Design Arts but decided being my own boss was more my style. In 1977, I opened my own Taco Time in Springville, Utah. During that time, a beautiful woman named Colleen Smart Wright would visit the drive-thru, little did I know, she would become the love of my life. At the time I had a son, Christopher, and Colleen had 5 kids of her own. We were married and became a large, blended family. Later, we welcomed two daughters of our own. Come to find out, Utah County wasn’t quite ready for a Taco Time, so back to the sign business it was. I ended my colorful career at Young Electric Sign Company, where I retired after 20 years and earned the Million Dollar Sales Club multiple times. That sales club gave Colleen and I a chance to travel the world together, from England to Italy, Thailand and Hong Kong, the Caribbean and the Hawaiian Islands a couple of times.

There are small pleasures in life that make it worth living; like the first cup of coffee, the morning newspaper, one too many Marlboro Reds, cars- LOTS of beautiful cars, good food, teaching the kids to drive, a good spook movie. I got bored easily, that’s why I had a lot of hobbies. I rebuilt a 1927 Ford Model A, I worked on two vintage Porches, got into model trains a couple of times, bought a couple boats, and made a few too many spontaneous trips to Vegas and Wendover. I might have been Fox New’s number one viewer? I also might have watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 100 times over the years, so when you watch it, I hope you think of me. I documented my life on those yellow Post-it-notes, I kept them in business. As Sinatra would sing, “Regrets, I had a few, but then again too few to mention, I did it MY WAY,” and that’s exactly what I did.

Dear, you are a SAINT for putting up with me. You are patient, a hard worker, the best caregiver, a great cook, a spotless housekeeper and gardener, wonderful mother to our children. I hit the jackpot with you. I loved the life we built together.

A final word to my children and grandchildren, I am proud of you and love every one of you. I may not have said it, but I prayed every night for each of you to have a rich, full life. LIVE it fully! Paddle your own canoe, always pay your own way, and help if you can. Being a dad and grandpa brought me so much pride and joy.

If you are reading this, I bit the dust. I passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in my favorite place- my recliner. It's been one hell of a ride. I’m waving goodbye to you all, “Adios amigos, sayonara, arrivederci!”

M. Lynn Richards is survived by his loving wife, Colleen; children, Christopher (Betty) Richards, Robyn (Kyle) Petersen, and Holly Jones; bonus kids, Maughn (Karla) Wright, Carla (Perry) Taylor, Wendy (Brandon) King, and Amber Gronau; 8 grandchildren; 16 bonus grandchildren; great-granddaughter, Amicia Richards; and 14 bonus great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and Chase Wright.

Graveside services with military funeral honors will be held at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 S. Washington Blvd, Ogden, Utah on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00pm. All are welcome to a gathering and light luncheon at the Richards’ residence following the service.