Richard Obituary

Shirley Richard GARDENHIRE, Jr. June 4, 1925 - April 19, 2005 Richard, the first child of Shirley Richard and Carrie Bell (Fouts) Gardenhire, was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas.

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He graduated from Capitol Catholic High School (CCHS), and went on to become the first and only African American student to be admitted to the US Navy's "V-12" program. Richard settled in Seattle, WA after his discharge from the Navy where he met and married Annie Laura Byrd, who preceded him in death after 31 years of marriage. With her, he raised six beloved children: Richard Earl (Rialto, CA), Gena Lois and John Jay (Seattle, WA), Gail Ann (Tacoma, WA), Eugene Lamar (Burien, WA) and Rebecca Marie (Oakland, CA).

 

Richard and Ann opened their home to more then 150 foster children and a dozen elderly persons over the years. Richard, earlier, worked as a King County Deputy Sheriff. He rounded out his career as the first African American ship loaded specialist as a "Supercargo" on the west coast for the SeaLand Corporation, International Longshoremen's Union, Local #52. He retired in 1992 after 39 years. Richard continued to be a dedicated member of Grace United Methodist Church until he was unable to attend in the past few years. In 1995, Richard was honored at the Seattle Museum of History and Industry's Bank Heritage Society of Washington State for his service as one of the first pioneer African American Longshoremen. Richard leaves his loving children, two adoring siblings; his sister, Ruth Ann (Gardenhire) Johnson (Detroit, MI) and brother John Fouts Gardenhire (El Cerrito, CA), 17 grandchildren; one who preceded him in death; Ramona Avees, 14 great-grandchildren and extended family, friends and neighbors, Viewing Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at Columbia Funeral Home, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.;

 

Funeral Service on Wednesday April 27, 2005 at Grace United Methodist Church, 11 a.m., Seattle. Please sign the online guest book at www.columbiafuneralhome.com after April 26th. In lieu of flowers, a benevolent fund has been created in his name at any branch of Bank of America. The Shirley Richard Gardenhire, Jr.