Richard Douglas Ward

Richard Douglas Ward - Born June 21, 1937 in Oakland, California. Richard was the eldest of three sons of Lyrel Ernest Ward and Rita deFreitas Spinola.

Richard's family lived in Oakland, California but Richard had asthma as a child which forced the family to move to a dry climate further north in Trinity County. The Wards owned the local store in Stringtown which no longer exists due to a dam being built on the Trinity River. Richard loved the Trinity Mountains where he grew up and where he became a fantastic fisherman which ability he shared with his children and grandchildren. Everyone was impressed by what an awesome fisherman Richard was.

Richard first met Patricia Darrah & her sisters the summer of 1955 at the store in Stringtown and took particular note of Pat but didn't date her until the spring of 1956.

Richard was Catholic and Pat was a Mormon which didn't sit too well with Richard's Portuguese mother and grandmother who were both strong Catholics. Richard asked Pat about her church and said he would attend with her to see what it was about. He was amazed at the friendliness of everyone and intrigued by what was said in the meetings. He asked for the missionaries and was soon baptized after first telling his mother of his decision. She graciously accepted his decision.

Richard and Pat were married on October 25, 1957 in Oakland, California, later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. Their first daughter Michaelyn was born in Oakland. Richard's childhood asthma soon returned which forced the family to move north to Redding and then to Portland, Oregon where Pat's parents lived and where Richard was able to complete his apprenticeship to become a journeyman machinist. Five additional daughters were born while living in Oregon, Julia, Kathleen, Shannon, Patricia and Michelle - who died shortly after birth. Richard was called to the stake mission presidency where he served until he and his family moved to Eugene, Oregon in June 1966 where he operated a machine shop for some years. In the fall of 1975 he sold his business and went to work for GE Apparatus. He was transferred to their Utah operation in February 1977 and he moved his family to Salt Lake City in May 1977.

Eventually, the family moved south to Provo where Richard continued working as a machinist and Pat went to work at BYU. While living in Provo their last child Richard Douglas Jr was born.

Life changed for the family on October 11, 1996 when Richard had a massive brain hemorrhage and nearly died. However, he survived but had cognitive disabilities such that he could not continue working. Pat retired from BYU in March 2004 and she and Richard moved in with their eldest daughter and husband in Bountiful where they have been living ever since. Richard was able to use his creative ability using a scroll saw to make beautiful pieces of art work which he showed at the state fair and won several awards. He died at home on January 2, 2026. His funeral is Saturday January 10, 2026 at 12:00 Noon at the LDS Chapel, 1825 East 800 South, Bountiful, Utah.

His remains will be buried in the Bountiful Cemetery.Richard Douglas Ward is survived by his wife Patricia Ward and his 6 living children, Michaelyn (Keith) Erickson, Julia (Jeff) Galbraith, Kathleen (Stan) Garrison, Shannon (Chris) Lehr, Patricia (Scott) Ahern, and Richard Douglas Ward Jr., along with 31 grandchildren, multiple great grandchildren, and two 2nd great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Ernest Ward and predeceased by his daughter Michelle Ward and his brother Phillip Ward.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, PO Box 1227, Salt Lake City, UT 84110, or to Brigham Young University.