Gerald Dean Richards

Gerald Dean Richards left this earth on Saturday, December 30, 2017, surrounded by family.

Gerald was born the 7th of June 1932 to Thomas Clifford Richards and Lovisa Fae Jenkins. He had an older brother Clifford Jenkins Richards and younger sister Anna Lou Richards Landon.

Jerry was born and raised in Malad, Idaho and graduated from Malad High School in 1950. He served in the US Army for three years until 1956.

He worked in many positions at Argonne National Laboratory. At the time of his retirement, after 30 years, he had been Security Guard, Nuclear Reactor Operator, and Engineering Technician Sr.

Jerry married Winnie Mae Day in 1956 and to this union there were four daughters born. They were later divorced.

He married Nelda Hanson Brittain on the 6th of February 1970. The marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1995.

Jerry loved shooting his guns and competed in many competitions. He was an expert marksman. He also loved salmon fishing, hunting, and boating and taking others out on the lake. They bought a fifth-wheel and traveled, camped, and even enjoyed a winter in Arizona.
He was adored by his grandchildren who loved his fun sense of humor. They enjoyed the animals that he raised, riding the three wheelers, and going boating.

Jerry was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, living over forty years in Woodville 1st Ward. He enjoyed serving with a ward sealing crew in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for six years.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Clifford, sister Anna Lou Landon, and one grandson and one great-grandson.

He is survived by his wife Nelda; his children: Muriel Brittain (Bruce) Tew, of Pueblo, Colorado; Betty Brittain (Mike) Klements of Shelley, Idaho; Lloyd (Donna) Brittain, of Basalt, Idaho; Sandy Foote (Larry) Snyder, of Tomball, Texas; Cindy Foote Valantine, of Payson, Utah; Julie Foote Blaisdell, of Utah, and Kristi Foote of Utah. He also has 42 grandchildren and 73 great-grand children.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley. The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 P.M. and Thursday from 9:00 till 9:45 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be at 1:00 P.M. in the Malad City Cemetery with military rites.