Richard Homan 1927-2020
Richard Eugene Homan, 93, of Holton, passed away Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, at Medicalodges Jackson County.
He was born May 8, 1927 in Peabody, the son of Franklin and Goldie (Suffield) Homan.
Richard graduated from Peabody High School in 1945. He proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II.
He worked as a mill worker, worked construction for Welliever Construction and was a farmer and stockman. He owned and operated a Montgomery Ward retail store with his wife, Billie Jean. Richard was also very involved with the building of the elevators at Jackson County Coop and would help with the “books” late of an evening at Holton Livestock Exchange while building their own home.
Richard was a member of Holton VFW Post 1367 and Holton American Legion Post 44.
He married Billie Jean Hargett on June 29, 1947, in Peabody. They celebrated more than 72 years of marriage before her passing on Nov. 19, 2019. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty Fisher.
Survivors include his three children, Vicki Justice (Melvin) of Holton, Richard “Rick” Homan (Kathy) of Grove, Okla., and Kathleen Bergquist (Robert) of Olathe; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 in Holton Cemetery. Richard will lie in state at Mercer Funeral Home beginning Monday afternoon, Nov. 16.
Memorial contributions may be made to Medicalodges Jackson County, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
In the critical situation we all are in, a few family members would like to share some memories of their dad/grandpa. From Toni Bergquist: “He always shared his garden items with family and friends and made sure every year that he planted his garden with wildflowers to take home to grandma. I will always close my eyes and picture grandpa sitting under the front of the RV, in his old plastic chair, tomato beer in hand, plaid short sleeved shirt unbuttoned and jean shorts on. I remember watching them dance and being in awe of how amazing they were, even in their 80s.”
From Kathy Homan Bergquist: “He was such a good, decent, hard-working, honest man, great husband, dad and grandpa!” From Vicki Justice: “He loved to fish. He and mom would take pride in who caught the most or the biggest.” From Rob Bergquist: “I have so many great memories of Grandpa and all of our fishing adventures and card playing we did.” From Allison Justice: “He’s the first person I ever saw with a tattoo, which he got in the Navy, and I still cannot believe I didn’t rub it off his arm.”
(PAID OBITUARY)
