Laurence Chubb A. Richards, 88
Laurence Chubb A. Richards, 88, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was born in Lewiston, Idaho, on Feb. 17, 1921, to William C. and Sophie (Gossack) Richards. Larry attended Egan and Kalispell schools, graduating from Flathead County High School in 1938. He married his high school sweetheart, Jane Bondurant. They were residing in Seattle when Larry was called to duty in World War II. After he served in the Philippine Islands and Japan, the couple returned to Kalispell where Larry and his brother, Will, owned and operated Richards Sheet Metal. Larry loved the outdoors and spent most of his leisure time fishing, camping, golfing, waterskiing and snow skiing. His talents extended to the arts as he used the tools of his trade to create metal sculptures of ships, flowers, scenes and characters. He was a member of the Elks and shared his musical talents by serving as the club s organist. Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jane; brother, Will; and brother-in-law, John Lee. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Weydahl, and husband, Allan; daughter, Karen Lee, and special friend, Roger Jones; longtime companion, Lora Steele; granddaughter, Heidi Weydahl; grandsons, Nathan Weydahl, Jeremy Lee and Matthew Lee; five great-grandchildren, Ryan Weydahl, and Justin, Jordan, Ruhne and Taylor Lee; and nephew, Chuck Richards. Memorial services for Larry will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel. Urn burial will be in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Guests are invited to a reception at the Village Greens Community Center, 195 W. Nicklaus Dr., immediately following the services. The family suggests donations be made to the Montana Veterans Home Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 250, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, in memory of Laurence Richards. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Laurence s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Laurence s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.