Monty "Lester" Richesin

Monty Lester Richesin was born October 10,1930 in rural Arkansas to Hugh and Kittie Richesin of Lowry, Arkansas. He had three sisters: Maxine Barger (Jack), Mary Ann Reed (Clarence), and Daisy Davis (Paul). He married Frances Josephine Ingalls Richesin on December 26, 1952. They were married for 70 years until Frances passed away on June 29, 2023. He was a teacher, principal, Boy Scout Leader, computer technician, farmer, fisherman, truck driver, tire salesman, school bus driver, construction worker, highway road crew worker, post office employee, baseball coach, basketball coach, and a church elder. I knew him as my father. For fun, he liked to race snowmobiles and dog sleds, hunt, fish, garden, and collect coins and stamps.
In Alaska, he started a Boy Scout troop. They often went camping in the winter in Selawik, a small village in northwest Alaska. The local district established the 40 below and 100 below award for camping in the winter in nights that added up to 40 below and 100 below. His troop earned the 100 below award in two consecutive nights one weekend.
As a church elder in First Christian Church, Monett, Missouri, and Republic, Missouri, he taught Bible study and delivered communion to shut ins.
He is survived by his two sons, Dale Richesin (Takeko Simms) and Randy Richesin (Sandy Richesin); his five grandchildren, Michael Richesin, Eric Richesin (Danielle), Jennifer Romero, KeeShawn Romero (Chris Sandridge), and Takira Simms; four great-grandchildren, Ashleigh Calloway, Cameron Romero, Christina Sandridge, and Leon Richesin; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.
Also born in 1930 were the astronaut Buzz Aldrin, actors Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, Sean Connery, James Earl Jones, and the athlete Willie Mays.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Republic Nursing and Rehab and Preferred Hospice for going above and beyond for them and Lester in caring and thoughtfulness during his illness.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund. A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 10 to 11 a.m. in First Christian Church in Republic. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Lester will be laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery, Republic.