Richard Leroy Mecham

Richard LeRoy Mecham, 101, of Shelley, Idaho passed away January 23, 2017 of complications from a recent fall at his home.

Rich was born in Park Valley, Utah on March 7, 1915 to John Hyrum & Annie Miller Mecham. He attended school there and grew up in Park Valley.

During WWII he served in the U.S. Army as a Wire Corporal with the 250th Coast Artillery in Alaska and 527th Field Artillery Battalion in Italy.

After his discharge from the Army, he married Florence Larson on Nov 4, 1945 in Tremonton, Utah and they were later sealed in the Logan Temple. They lived in Park Valley, Utah, Wendell and Bruneau, Idaho and then in1987 moved to the Goshen area south of Shelley to be closer to family. They served an LDS mission in St. George, Utah and also served as Ordinance workers in the Boise Temple.

His favorite occupations were as a “Cowboy” in Jackson Hole Wyoming (Jackson was only 20 years old), and Government Trapper in Owyhee County Idaho. He retired from the Idaho State Highway Department after being employed by them for 18 years.

Rich loved a good horse and loved breaking them to ride and reign. However at 89 years young, after he was bucked off his latest pony, his sweetheart Florence convinced him to settle for raising chickens, rope making, garden growing and yard work. He loved to teach others the secrets he had learned about making great ropes and delighted in giving his custom ropes to others. He had an amazing garden and found joy in sharing his bounty with everyone. He was known for his big smile, quick wit, great stories and his sense of humor. He was a fountain of knowledge and insight.

Rich was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather as well as a caring neighbor.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and he served faithfully in all of his callings.

He is survived by a sister, La Dene M Jeppesen of Garland, Utah, a son, Darwin (Donna) Mecham of Idaho Falls, two daughters, Doris (David) Stewart of Idaho Falls, and Kathy (Hernan) Gonzalez of Bloomsbury, Pennsylvania, a son-in-law, Claudon (Margaret) Lilya of Blackfoot, Twenty-one grandchildren and 67 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, a daughter, Ann Lilya, a daughter-in-law, Debra Mecham and his parents, one sister and five brothers.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Goshen Ward Chapel (792 N 1090 E) Shelley with Bishop Renn Christensen conducting. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 10:00 till 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Groveland Cemetery with military rites by the David B. Bleak Post #93 assisted by the Idaho Honor Guard. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home in Shelley.