Richard (Dick) James Funkhouser

Richard (Dick) James Funkhouser

Richard (Dick) James Funkhouser passed away from this life suddenly on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the age of 64. He was surrounded by his loving family when embraced in the arms of his Heavenly Father and greeted by his loved ones gone before him.

Dick was born April 4, 1954, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to Jim and Elaine Funkhouser, the youngest of three children. His two older sisters, Carol and Donna, loved their brother. Dick was fond of his childhood filled with sports, cars, friends, and memories. He loved to banter about Chevy vs. Ford, with the reminder that Chevy reigns supreme. Some of his favorites were his cherry red ’57 Chevy and his ’76 Chevrolet Silverado. Among his greatest childhood joys was hunting and fishing with his dad.

Dick attended Valley View Elementary School and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1972 before furthering his education at the University of Idaho. He returned to Bonners Ferry to start his employment at Louisiana Pacific Lumber Mill in Moyie Springs, Idaho, where he retired after 44 years of service in a job where he loved the people. He started out as a Millwright, moved to driving a LeTourneau Log Loader, and lastly worked as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic in the maintenance shop where he became the Supervisor. Dick was so proud of his occupation and industry; he enjoyed doing presentations in his daughters’ classrooms and his girls even got to take a tour on the LaTourneau.

Dick met and fell in love with his eternal sweetheart, Cathy Lynn Clemens, and they were married in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Nov. 26, 1977. They set out on building a life together and it was in the small things where they showed their love and devotion for each other. Dick frequently surprised Cathy with flowers and sweet notes to remind her just how much he loved her. Cathy would reciprocate her love by making sure his lunch was always prepared and included a note to remind him of her love and appreciation for him.

Dick and Cathy were best friends and had a playful love, including memories of swimming in the pool, having water fights, and Dick “accidentally” running out of gas while Cathy had water-skied just long enough to be dry. Dick had a way of showing his love through acts of service and was not a stranger to it when it came to Cathy. The house they built together in Bonners Ferry was truly a home for their family for almost 30 years. Dick and Cathy raised five daughters together: Corina, Missy, Rachel, Emily, and Jennifer.

As a father, Dick adored his daughters. He built a life-sized playhouse complete with real windows, door, and play oven/stovetop. He worked hard, but made sure there was time to teach his girls everything he could, from mowing the lawn, to changing the oil, brakes, and tires on their cars. He took his family huckleberry picking, fishing, target shooting, and boating on Lake Pend Oreille. His five daughters tested his patience and sense of humor with situations like: mowing over trees, getting stuck underneath branches on the riding lawn mower, driving his ’76 Chevy pick-up (the Widowmaker) without permission, borrowing his tools and not putting them back in the “right” place, and attempting pranks like switching out the sugar for salt. Dick had a tremendous sense of humor and many eye-rolling “Dad” jokes.

As his daughters grew up and expanded the family unit, they blessed Dick and Cathy with sons-in-law and 14 grandchildren. Dick was the “World’s Best Grandpa” and had several T-shirts and sweatshirts to prove it, including one special to him that had his grandchildren’s footprints and handprints imprinted on it. He liked to joke with those grandkids, now grown, saying, “I would have you guys make me another one, but your feet are too big to fit on the shirt.”

Dick and Cathy loved when the grandkids would visit and when camping with their fifth-wheel; he would offer to have them stay the night and fix them huckleberry pancakes, eggs, and bacon in the morning. Dick spent many hours teaching, teasing, playing with, and just generally loving his grandkids.

Dick and Cathy recently relocated to Kuna, Idaho, where they built their dream home and completed various landscaping projects as a team and enjoyed the time they were able to spend with each other.

Dick was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, inspired many through his service and labored in various capacities including: Boy Scout Leader, Elders Quorum President, Counselor in the Bishopric, High Counselor. His most recent calling was Ward Mission Leader in the Kuna 2nd Ward. Dick felt blessed by his devoted home teachers, missionaries, and other members of the ward whom he considered to be close friends. He had a fast growing love for his Heavenly Father and for his Savior Jesus Christ. Dick had an unshakable love for the gospel and the knowledge that families are forever. Dick, Cathy, and their children were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple, Aug. 16, 2001.

Dick was well known in the community for his many kind acts of service and generosity. He was a man’s man, but not afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger who would soon be considered a new friend. His service to others was born out of love he had for his fellow man. He exuded this love and service to the very end of this life by touching the hearts of every staff member in the hospital who didn’t know him personally, but stated they felt something special by his presence and were touched by him. Dick’s final act of service on Earth was as an organ donor which will bless countless lives. He would want others to “pay it forward” with compassion and service.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of nearly 41 years, Cathy Lynn (Clemens) and their five daughters: Corina [Brett] Crutchfield, Missy Carey, Rachel [Chris] Vasquez, Emily [Shaun] Kirkham, and Jennifer [Tru] Funkhouser; 14 grandkids: Mya, Maddie, Jacob, Katie, Conner, Lyndsie, Cole, Caleb, Kaelyn, Claire, Logan, Carter, Brooklyn, Collin; sister, Donna Funkhouser and daughter Stacey; mother-in-law, Carol Nichols; sister-in-law, Shelly [Matt] George and children Preston, Jonathan, Chelsey, Camrie, Chandler, and Myley; brothers-in-law: Lee [Carol] Nelson and daughter Ashley, Israel [Dianne] Nichols and children Maggie, Emma, and Lilly, Joshua [Liz] Nichols and children Cheyenne and Archer; countless cousins, extended family and his fur babies Lucy, Cuddles, and Lola.

Dick was preceded in death by his father and mother, James William and Elaine Janet (Wombacher) Funkhouser; and sister, Carol Ann (Funkhouser) Nelson; and beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A viewing will be held from 10-10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 224 E. Avalon St., Kuna, Idaho. Funeral services will follow the viewing at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Kuna Cemetery, 1321 W. Boise St., Kuna, Idaho. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.zeyerfuneralchapel.com.