Richard Brian Wheatcroft was born on September 5, 1956 to Robert and Edith Jacobson Wheatcroft in Jordan, Montana. He joined three brothers living on the family ranch along Steve’s Fork Creek west of Jordan. The youngest of four boys, living miles from town, having lots of rural adventures growing up.
He attended the one room school sitting in the windswept fence corner of the ranch for seven years, mostly with his brothers for schoolmates. When he was in the 7th grade, the school was closed and he transferred to Jordan. He and his brothers, John and Scott, mostly commuted from the ranch to school by car and stayed with Grandma Mabel in Jordan when the weather was bad.
He graduated from Garfield County High School in 1974 and returned to work on the family ranch. In 1978, his dad Robert died in a farm accident and Richard took over the daily operations and management of the ranch at the age of 21. The winter of 1978-1979 was the most severe winter he was ever to experience.
In 1981, he met a pretty young college student from Wisconsin, Patricia Molinaro. They were married on August 20, 1982 at the Steve’s Fork Church. Their son Alexander John was born in 1984 and daughter Elizabeth Helen in 1986.
During the 1981 Bucking Horse Sale, he was photographed for a permanent exhibit by Richard Avedon commissioned by the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. He was later re-photographed and the life sized photos are displayed side by side at the museum where he and Patty were able to attend the grand opening of the exhibit.
Times were very harsh in the 1980’s with drought, low prices and high interest rates. He met the challenges by hard work and thrift. His life was the ranch and revolved around his family.
Richard and Patty divorced in 1989. He continued to ranch in the 1990’s and expanded the ranch at every opportunity.
In 2002, Alex graduated from High School in Red Lodge and began helping in the summers. Alex and Richard began operating separate ranching interests while working toward a generational transition of the ranch, a process that continued until his death. Sharing his pursuit of raising the best quality commercial Angus cattle with his son was his legacy.
Richard was a quiet observer and diligent to task. His impeccable memory and his love for animals was his hallmark. He was a dutiful son and father, the greatest of brothers and uncles. Richard loved collecting western memorabilia through auction sales. He also loved spending his fall hunting on his ranch, in between ranch duties.
He passed away from heart failure on March 24, 2022, after a relatively brief hospitalization. He fed his heifers the morning he was hospitalized.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; brother Joseph Scott; and nephew Justin.
He is survived by his son Alex (Annie) Wheatcroft, granddaughters Emily Clarice and Nora Edith; daughter Beth (Evan) Bunkers; brothers George (Celestine) Wheatcroft and John Wheatcroft; a sister-in-law Lori Wentzell; he also leaves behind two generations of nieces and nephews and their spouses.
He was respected in his community and will be missed by friends, acquaintances and businesses. He believed success was to be found by the success of the next generation rather than his own achievements.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons in Jordan. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Steve’s Fork Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 30, 2022
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
Main Street
Jordan, MT 59
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday March 31, 2022
Steve's Fork Cemetery
Sand Springs, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 30, 2022
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
Main Street
Jordan, MT 59
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday March 31, 2022
Steve's Fork Cemetery
Sand Springs, MT
Share
Howard Shawver says
Alex
I am sorry to hear about your dad. I always appreciated having the privilege to hunt out there and looked forward to visiting with him. Rest easy Richard your hard work is done.
Matt and Jeana Bliss says
So sorry to hear of Richards passing.
Teddy & Mike Landers says
So very sorry for your loss. Know you and your family are in our prayers.
Shawn & Sue FitzGerald says
Wheatcroft family,
So sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed visiting with Richard.
Carol Williams says
I was sorry to hear this. I only knew Richard from when I worked at the grocery store but he was always so polite and usually had a smile. My sympathy to his family.
Louise de Montigny says
Brad,
My sincere condolences for your loss. And for yours as well Beth.
Jen Collins says
Alex and Beth,
Please accept my condolences on your father’s passing. You will be in my thoughts.
Jennifer Collins
Daniel and Audrey says
So sorry to here about the passing of Richard. May he rest in peace.
Rod & Lorri Coulter says
Rest in Peace Richard. Our prayers for your family.
Sandra Barclay says
So sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. He was always a very polite person to visit with. Sending condolences and prayers for your family.
Karen Witt says
My Deepest Sympathy to the Wheatcroft Family. He will be missed on cleanup day he was always there to help.
Connie Hains Urick says
I was surprised to hear of Richard’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family he leaves behind. It is always so hard to say goodbye. Richard your hard work here is done; you have graduated and are on to bigger and greater things. Oh, the welcome you will receive.
Susan Hageman says
Hearing of Richard’s passing makes me sad. He was way too young to die. Richard was an exemplary student and I enjoyed having him in my classes. My sincere condolences to the family.
Sharon Volkman says
To the Wheatcrofts I am sorry for your loss. Richard was a very fine person. My brother was well acquainted with him, is how I got to meet Richard. I do remember the hard winter of 1978-1979
Rich Cooley says
Sorry for your loss, Richard was a classmate who was a very good student and always saw the humor in things. RIP Richard
Heather Grimm says
Alex, Annie, Emily & Nora,
I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Richard – the ultimate quiet observer. It has always been a delight to have him around while working cattle. I was just starting to enjoy breaking the ice with him and getting to know him more! May you find peace and comfort in your sweet memories of him. It has been an honor to know him. I am assured that he would be proud of you all and will be watching from up above!
Mary (Guesanburu) Kindt says
So very sorry to hear of Richard’s passing, there were four of us that sat at the same study hall table for four years in high school. Is very hard to believe that I am the last one left. Rest in peace Richard one of the gentler souls I ever knew.
Jennifer Shipp says
So very sorry for your loss, Beth. I’ll be praying for you and your family. Miss you. Jennifer Shipp
Cheri (Shawver) Hafla says
So very sorry to hear of Richards passing, I went to high school with him. He was a very good student and always joking around. May he Rest In Peace.
John Mahan says
Condolences to The Wheatcroft Family.
Sounds like a good rancher who wanted the ranch to continue.
Kevin and Beth Kincheloe says
George & John – it’s always hard to lose your brother. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Volkman says
Sharon McKenzie Volkman
Rita Wemmer says
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for all. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bill/Madonna Ryan says
Sorry for your loss, our prayers go out to you and your family
krista wright says
My condolences to the Wheatcroft family. Years ago Richard would always stop by when he made his trips into town for groceries at the Ranchers where I worked at the time. He was always such a pleasant person and would share different stories each time he stopped of past years, especially of “Uncle Tuck” Always good visits and many laughs had been had. He will be missed.
Hank Hawk says
Yee Haw! Howdy There Neighbor ! How are you!