Wayne S. Richey

Wayne S. Richey, 69, passed on to his new adventure, Monday, May 15, 2017 in Woodland, Washington. He was born August 3, 1947 in Springerville, the son of Stanley and Gwennie Richey. Wayne grew up enjoying the outdoors where he spent much of his time trapping, hunting, fishing and causing mischief of one kind or another. Whether he was hiding in the trees shooting people with his BB gun or sicking his dog on the city irrigation worker, he was always looking for a good laugh! Wayne’s fun loving personality was coupled with an appreciation for hard work. In his teenage years he worked for one of his all-time heroes, Rob Roy Patterson, as a ranch hand until he left to serve an LDS mission in Sydney, Australia. Upon his return, he met the only woman that could wrangle him in. Wayne and Renee met at a dance at Arizona State University in Tempe and later married on March 29, 1969 in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple. Wayne was an innovative businessman and contributed much to the development of the rolling shutter and fly fishing industries. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served as a Bishop. His last and favorite callings were teaching the 11 year old children and the Sunbeams. He had a genuine love for people young and old and never met a stranger. Wayne loved to fly fish and was passionate about preserving natural fish habitats. His greatest love, however, was his family; especially his grandchildren. They had the ability to soften his rough cowboy exterior and he loved telling them stories, snuggling them in his rocking chair or giving them a ride on the lawnmower, tractor or quad. Wayne was a masterful story teller and enjoyed making people laugh with his colorful cowboy jokes and expressions. We will all miss his contagious laugh. Wayne will be dearly missed by his family: Renee, his loving wife of 48 years, children, Elise Richey, Travis Richey, Derek (Sarah) Richey, Tyler (Julie) Richey, Tara (Keith) Fisher and Tenielle (Chris) Bender. Wayne’s unmatched bedtime stories will be missed by his 17 grandchildren with one on the way. He also leaves behind his siblings, Elwood (Juanita) Richey, Don (Candace) Richey and Charlotte (Merwin) Grant. A Viewing will be held Friday, June 16, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2549 N 32nd St. Mesa, Arizona 85213 with Funeral Services following at 7:00 p.m. A Graveside service will be held Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at the St. Johns Westside Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21720 NE 29th Ave. Ridgefield, Washington 98642, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.