Richard 'Rick' F. Doran, 67
Richard “Rick” F. Doran passed away on May 19, 2019, from post-op complications due to cardiac bypass surgery.
Rick was born to Leonard and Lucille Doran in 1951 in Bozeman. He lived his early life in Shelby before moving to Kalispell in 1963 with his mother and siblings.
In 1966 Rick played for the Flathead Braves football team as a guard (perfect season) and wrestling team before injuring his knee. Rick graduated from Flathead High School in 1969 then went to the University of Montana in Missoula where he majored in marketing and psychology. After college Rick farmed and ranched with his father and brother Paul in the Three Forks area. Rick returned to the Flathead to pursue a career in real estate that spanned over 40 years, with the last 25 years as broker/owner of Montana Brokers, Inc.
Rick was an active member of the Board of Realtors, serving twice as president and past treasurer of the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors. Rick served as district vice president for the Montana Association of Realtors. Rick traveled three times to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators regarding Montana property and water rights. He was Realtor of the Year in 2005.
Rick was an active member of the Kalispell Lions Club and Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.
Rick met his wife, Diane, in 1996 and they were married March 21, 1997, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He always told her she was the only woman he ever asked to marry him, that she was the only one for him! He always introduced her as his first and only wife.
Rick will be best remembered as an avid motorcyclist, hiker, swimmer and bicyclist. He spent many weekends with friends and family motorcycling, hiking and swimming in the Mission Mountains, Echo and Flathead lakes. He bicycled up to Foys Lake and back quite regularly. He belonged and worked out at The Summit three to four times a week for many years. He had a great sense of humor and was the best joke and storyteller you would ever meet.
Rick is survived by his loving wife, Diane; his daughter, Stacy Linder and Mark Hernandez, of Concord, California; his son, Evan Gardner; mother, Lucille Nelson; brothers, Gary and Paul Doran and their families; sister, Debra Mills and husband Tim Norton and their families, all of Kalispell; stepmother, Audrey, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister-in-law, Michelle and Sam O’Connor and family of Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.
Rick is also survived by best friends, Rick and Darlene Hoylman, Ed and Joy Mahlum, Linda and Randy Torgerson, Tom and Cheryl Hodges, Griff Stevens and his best companions Rex and Teddy who miss him dearly.
Services for Rick will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 14, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 South Main St., Kalispell.
Rick will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful loving man, husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We love you, Ricky. Rest in peace and God bless.