Richard Lee Cresse

Richard Lee Cresse III was born in The Dalles, Oregon, February 4, 1945, the youngest of six children, two brothers and three sisters, all deceased.

He grew up in Madras, Oregon until the family moved to Georgia in 1955, where his father directed a children's home and pastored a Free Methodist church. They moved to Seattle, Washington in 1957, where his father took a position working with a mission on Skid Row.

Richard met his, unknown to him at the time, future wife in his sophomore year when his sister brought her friend home for Sunday dinner. I was smitten. He was smitten. But when he found out my age - a little more than a year older than his young 15-year-old self, he was downcast. Fortunately, that phase didn't last long, and we dated and married in 1964.

We both attended Bible College in Rock Island, Illinois where Rich graduated with a BTh. Our first child, Jonathan Scott was born there, a year later.

Moving back to Seattle where our families were, we had two more sons born there; Richard Lee the IV and Stephen Todd.

Due to the Seattle recession in the 70's we moved to Jerome, Idaho where my family was and there Mary Elisabeth was born in 1972 and her sister Shannon Rochelle in 1973.

Many happy years there with Grandma Carrico and Aunts and Uncles and cousins growing up, camping, hunting, fishing, singing and sharing. Jobs became scarce in that small town and Rich bought his first big rig and hit the road trucking long distance, even using his semi to haul relief goods to Guatemala during the 1976 earthquake. Many a time all five children and a dog or two went along on the long hauls. Being absent from home so much, he sold his truck and went to work for the company that bought it, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. That was in 1978 and here we have lived until this present day.

Richard started his own business as Cresselectronic Access Control in 1995. It served him well and he was still going strong when he should have been considering retiring. His body was still vibrant and healthy. It was only the first signs of Dementia that caused him to stop.

We have an idyllic place in Idaho where we have been dreaming and planning and building a cabin to use as our family retreat. Even though he will not be part of the finished work, he will forever be there in spirit.

Richard never had an enemy or a grudge. Most that ever met him never forgot him. He had a handshake and an unforgettable smile for everyone. I don't remember any job he turned away, any need he didn't attend that a friend might ask. He met everyone with outstretched hand, without judgement. without suspicion, or preconceived notion. I know and his children know that no ocean would be deep enough, no miles long enough that he would not be there if they called. He was my shelter, the light of my life, and only love.

He is survived by five children and twenty-two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

There will be a Memorial Service held Friday April 4, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville.

Luncheon will be provided following the Memorial service,12:30, at The Gathering Hall, 4306 South Redwood Road, next to the Funeral Home.