Richard Blass

Let us celebrate in the life of Richard Blass, I want to share his life, speak of his conversion and tell you that death is not the conclusion. Richard was born June 15, 1946 in Elsinore California to Goldia Mae Thompson and George Richard Daniel. Goldia and George divorced and the family soon returned to Grand Junction, Colorado. At age three, Richard was adopted by Kenneth (Kenney) Blass his loving Dad. Kenney instilled in Rich a love of music and kiddingly said that Richard had a clarinet stuck in his mouth since age three.
Richard became an accomplished clarinetist playing in band and orchestra in school and a brief stint playing professionally. Richard grew up loving the outdoors fishing and hunting and being on his Uncles' ranches in Colburn, Colorado. Richard joined the Colorado National Guard and later the Army during the Vietnam era.
Richard moved to Seattle and attended the University there becoming a Civil Engineer. He worked for Boeing in design. Richard was briefly married and has a son Kenny Blass by that union.
In 1971 Richard met Diane Shippey in Grand Junction and where they married in 1972. Best friends, and hopefully to be eternal companions. Richard's greatest love was for his four children: Brandon, Aaron, Jo-Dawn and Nathan. He cherished them and relished in their accomplishments and talents and the wonderful and kind individuals they have become and their extending our family to include one son-in-law and two daughters-in-law and the most wonderful three grandchildren ever!
One of Richard's fondest memories was in coaching Little League Baseball and being an All Star coach. He built a baseball diamond in our backyard in Enoch and believe me, they came.
Richard after many years of owning an antique refinishing business returned to school at SUU to obtain a degree in Sociology and Psychology and complete his education at the University Of Utah Graduate School Of Social Work obtaining a degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. Richard loved working with Native American population and was a change agent in many lives. Richard also worked for the County and Valley Mental health and was the Director for two Methadone Clinics.
Richard had many talents including music and art. He designed and made jewelry, he was an avid wood carver and created knifes and swords. He had a life long love for animals and worked along side two veterinarians in Grand Junction as a youth.
Richard had a wonderful sense of humor and kept his kidding and wit to the last days of his illness. He loved nature the outdoors, fishing, camping and boating. This last summer we, as a family, vacationed in Yellowstone and had a wonderful family adventure.
The final chapters of Rich's life were indeed his happiest. Imperfect as we all are Rich faced many challenges and trails but finished this race with his head up and heart centered in charity.
Richard loved his ward family and held so dear the friendships he found here. He felt encircled in love. Richard grew to have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and I will always love the memory of reading together the scriptures and praying to Heavenly Father. Richard longed to go to the Temple and to be sealed together as a family
We are so blessed to know that death has no finality that in fact those that have passed are as Elder Melvin J Ballard said, "Are Intensified Spiritually." Near and dear Richard, we love you Sweetheart.