Leland C. Richards, of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away at 93 on May 6, 2024 from natural causes at Western Slope Memory Care. His wife, Marjorie J. (White) Richards, preceded him in death 11 days prior to Lee, on April 25, 2024. Both obituaries are shared here...
Lee was born January 24, 1931 in Osceola, Iowa and his family moved to Sterling, Colorado in 1932 where he and his siblings were raised. Lee was an outstanding athlete in track, basketball, and baseball. After graduating in 1949, he was awarded a scholarship in baseball at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. He eventually dropped out because of a shoulder injury and having trouble attending classes. He became a police officer in 1952 and worked other jobs before, in 1955, he landed a teaching position at the Crook Schoolhouse, then Eagle Point Schoolhouse, and eventually Atwood Schoolhouse, all in Logan County, Colorado. He met the love of his life in 1956, Marjorie J. White, and they were married August 17th, 1958. They started a family and in 1960 Lee pursued his teaching degree at the University of Northern Colorado, graduating with a bachelor’s in teaching in 1964.
Moving the family to Grand Junction in 1965, Lee taught 5th grade math at Tope Elementary School from 1965 to 1979. From there he taught at Clifton Elementary School until his retirement in 1986. Lee was an avid golfer, fisherman, outdoorsman and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He often had them helping him tend to his beautiful cherry orchard and gardens. He also had many fishing adventures in Alaska. Lee and Marj had many extended camping trips visiting friends and family along the way.
Lee was a long time member of the Elks Club in Sterling and Grand Junction.
Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Marj, his parents, Orlow and Ada (Davis) Richards, his brother, Lowell, and his sisters, Lois and Joan. He is survived by his 2 children, Pam Friesen(Dale) of Grand Junction and Brad Richards of Anchorage, AK, his three grandsons, Shawn Friesen (Becca) of League City TX, Kent Friesen (Dakota) of Los Angeles CA, Lee Friesen (Elizabeth) of Grand Junction, three great granddaughters, and numerous nephews and nieces.
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