Funeral services: Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Broadus.
Interment: Valley View Cemetery
John Linkenhoker Richards was born on July 5, 1921, at Ridge, Montana, and passed away December 29, 2009, at the age of 88.
He went to country schools through the 8th grade, and finished one year of high school in Ekalaka, Montana.
Johns parents were Peter P. and Nannie D. Linkenhoker Richards. They came to Montana from Virginia in 1916 with their six children, Maude, Clarence, Clyde, Ellis, Helen, and Arnold. John, Archie, and Velna were born in Montana.
Johns father did a lot of carpenter work, helping build caskets when needed, and administering at funerals when no minister was available Johns mother, Nannie, served as a midwife for neighbors as doctors were scarce.
John worked for different ranches, haying, herding sheep, and harvesting. He broke horses for ranchers, breaking them to ride and riding them for a few weeks until they were gentle- all of this for $5 which made John feel rich.
John and Eugenie Johnson were married in 1941. They herded sheep near Alzada for a couple of years, and then moved to Broadus, where John started truck driving. They had five children; Karen, born in 1943, Gary born in 1944, David, born in 1946, Dennis born in 1948, and Michael, born in 1959.
On December 26, 2009 John and Eugenie observed their 68th wedding anniversary.
John drove truck from the early 40s to the late 80s. Because he was away from home so much of the time driving truck, John missed out many times on seeing his boys play football, basketball, track events, and other school activities. He did get in on putting together toys that the kids received on Christmas mornings. When the trips he had to make with his truck were not too long, he would take one or another of the kids with him, which was a real treat for them. John was very proud of his boys and their accomplishments. He and his daughter, Karen, always shared a special affinity. He loved his daughters-in-law, Carole, Tina, and Lana. He and Karens husband, Dallas Gaskill, shared many jokes and an interest in ranching. Grandpa John had a special relationship with each of his granddaughters, Jeannie, Vanessa, Laurie, Vikki, Rakki, Robin, Brookney, Michaela, Carla, Tana, Raquel, and Jennifer. He also enjoyed his grandsons, Jeff, Shawn (with whom he enjoyed many hunting trips together), andlittle Nikolaus, (who will never know his Grandpa John). Another grandson is Ross Campbell, Robins husband, who has helped John in so many ways.
Four of his grandsons preceded him in death; Terry Mader, Davy Richards, Ronnie Richards, and Scott Richards.
John also has 28 great-grandchildren.
John was a good musician and loved music. He and his brother, Archie, played for many dances. John usually played the guitar, but after he lost his finger in a band saw, he started playing the violin. John enjoyed woodworking and made many beautiful and useful items which he gave to family and friends. He helped Steve Ray with adult woodworking classes at the high school for several years.Due to failing health, John spent the last year and a half of his life in the Power River Manor. Here he received the best of care and made many friends there. Special friends are Sue Richards and Cristel (PeeWee) Powell, Christy and Kris Mikesell, Priscilla, Stacy, Mae, Cindy, Amanda and many others.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 4, 2010, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Valley View Cemetery in Broadus. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com .Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Manor or to the charity of one's choice. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus, has been entrusted with the arrangements
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