Richard Vandemark

Richard Vandemark was born on December 14, 1940 in Bainbridge, Ohio. He passed away at his home in Vernon, Arizona, Thursday, February 8, 2024.

Richard grew up in Bainbridge, Ohio where he graduated high school at Paint Valley High School in 1959. He met his wife, Doris when he was just 20 years old and they soon got married on December 19, 1961.

Richard got his first job at Champion Company where he made sparkplugs, batteries and other automotive parts until he moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1969. Richard and his wife, Doris had 4 children starting in 1962 with their oldest son, Richard, Jr. In 1965 they welcomed their second son, Timothy. Soon they had Eric in 1967 and finally had their daughter, Christine in 1971.

They settled down in Tucson where Richard worked in the mining industry for 43 years working as a heavy-duty mechanic; working on haul trucks and heavy-duty machinery until he finally retired in 2013. He had a passion for drawing and was amazing at working with wood creating things in his spare time. His hobbies included hunting with his boys and other family members for elk, deer and many other animals. He loved to fish at all the lakes and rivers catching all the different fish he could, but he loved trout and catfish the best.

As his children got older and started their own families, he loved being a grandfather to his 6 grandchildren; teaching them, playing with them and always being there when they needed him. He eventually got to be a great-grandfather to 5 more grandchildren and recently learned he was going to be a great-great-grandfather to a new grand baby. His family was his everything and he lived every day looking forward to hearing about stories and learning new things from everyone.

Richard is survived by his wife, Doris A. Vandemark, sons, Timothy Vandemark, Eric Vandemark, daughter, Christine (Shawn) Tindle, granddaughters, Kayla (Justin) Goss, Raeleana (Trevor) Olsen, Michaela Tindle, Sharlan Tindle, grandsons, Timothy (Kelsey) Vandemark, Shawn Tindle, Jr., 5 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandbaby, brothers, Jim Vandemark, Don Vandemark, Fred (Janet) Vandemark, and sisters, Ruth Vandemark, Helen Bowling and Betty Almli.

He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Richard Vandemark, Jr., daughter-in-law, Martha Vandemark, brothers, Ken Vandemark, Robert Vandemark, sister, Barbara and parents, Oscar and Mary Vandemark.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m.