Ross H Richards

Ross Henry Richards, longtime resident of Graham, Washington died from a broken heart on April 24, 2018. Eighty nine years before, on April 15, 1929 in Indianola, Iowa, Ross was the 5th of seven children born to Wesley and Irene Richards.

Ross came to Tacoma when the Navy assigned it as his Duty station, and stayed when he met Phyllis at a local dance hall one fateful evening, they were inseparable forevermore. Ross and Phyllis were married on October 26, 1952 in Tacoma, Washington, together they celebrated 65 years of marriage and raised four children. They worked together many years for the Puyallup School District, then finished off their careers at Boeing. Ross cultivated many hobbies; he loved to tinker in his garage and keep his yard up (whether it be on his tractor or his lawn mower), gardening with Phyllis, camping or just having a barbeque where Ross was always the life of the party.

In retirement Ross and Phyllis became snow birds, traveling down south to Yuma, Arizona for the winters where they met up with lots of relatives and made many friends along the way. When spring came they made their way back to Washington to be with their family, and enjoy the sunshine.

In December 2017 Ross was heartbroken to lose his wife Phyllis, who died suddenly and peacefully in their home from a heart attack; Phyllis was the love of his life, and Ross missed her dearly. Ross was predeceased also by his parents; and Brothers Morris, Clarence, and Warren. He is survived by children Pam, Mark (Cherie), Cheryl, Michael (Jackie); siblings John (Ruth), Ruth (Edwin), Mary (Warren); seventeen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren, and another great grandchild on the way.

Ross was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and a great friend to all.

A memorial service will be held at Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary in Tacoma on Friday May 18th at 11:30 A.M., following, Ross will be laid to rest alongside Phyllis at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, 2:30 P.M. Everyone is welcome.

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