Richard John Cahoon of Hermiston died on March 14, 2024 in Richland, Benton County, Wash. surrounded by his loved ones at his side at the age of 78.
He was born on Dec. 12, 1945 in Ronan, Lake County, Mont.
Richard “Dick” was raised in a loving home in Charlo, Mont. on a dairy farm. He was the youngest child of E.J. and Ruth. He grew up with two older sisters, Barbara Jean (Bob Dunn spouse) and Thellis (Jerry Peters spouse), and three younger adopted siblings, Jim, Joe Cahoon and Mary Joscum).
He married Eunice Allred of Ronan, Mont. on Dec. 19, 1967 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada in the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were blessed with two beautiful children, Trittica Lynne Cahoon (spouse Benjamin Nielson) and Clifton John “C.J.” (spouse Tami Stevens).
He served as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Florida, Tallahassee mission from 1964 to 1966. He joined the Army and after marrying Eunice, they moved to Germany to complete his tour in the 105th Finance Division from 1967 to 1970. He also did a tour of service as a QUASAS following Desert Storm, 1991, Saudi Arabia.
He enjoyed his time in civic, community, family, and church service. Some notable responsibilities included home teacher, seminary teacher, primary teacher, high councilor, Boy Scout leader, and bishop (Lolo, Mont. and again in Hermiston). He and Eunice served multiple LDS senior couple missions including English as a second language, 2012-13 and the Arkansas, Little Rock mission, 2014-15 and 2016.
Richard and Eunice resided in Indianapolis, Ind., Augsburg, Germany, Kalispell, Mont., Missoula, Mont., Lolo, Mont., Clinton, Iowa, and Hermiston. Richard worked in insurance as an investigator for Montana, as a semi-tractor gasoline
and milk hauler, owned his own business, Lolo Video Store, and as a QUASAS and safety/quality inspector for the U.S. government, where he retired from the Umatilla Army Depot.
He is survived by his beloved wife; daughter; son; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, (Nielson family) Taylor and Sarah, their two sons, Finn and Noah, (Bruce family) Emiline and Tyler, (Cahoon family) Samuel, Joshua, Nathan, Cole, Lora, and Spencer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eskel and Ruth; his sisters, Thellis and Mary; and his brother, Jim.
Known for his quick wit with a joke, a jovial “How is ya?” and a firm handshake and smile, Richard knew people, how to love them, inspire them, and put them at ease. His greatest treasure of all, and this he openly shared, was his faith in God and his love of family who made life “great.” Rarely could one walk out of Richard’s presence without a feeling of having a friend, a mentor, and a happy lift to their soul.
He will be greatly missed as his absence is readily felt.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850 S.W. 11th St., Hermiston.
Burial with military honors will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Rich with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
