Richard “Dick” Leonard Theall, 89, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014. He was born on Jan. 13, 1925 to John and Belle (Love) Theall in Richmond, Calif.
He spent his youth in Tracy, Calif. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1943, then joined the U. S. Marines and served as a tank operator. He was also a Sharpshooter Rifle instructor on San Clemente Island, then went to the South Pacific on Guadacanal. His tank division was in Tsingtao, China when the Japanese surrendered ending the war in the Pacific. He was discharged in 1946.
He met his sweetheart Margaret Knutzen in Tracy, Calif. with the help of his sisters. They were soon married on Oct. 26, 1947, at the Methodist Church in Tracy. They had two children, Ronald and Julie. They moved from Tracy to Gardnerville, Nev. in 1954. There, Dick worked in the Minden Creamery for 10 years. He moved the family one more time to Lakeview. He worked as a rancher for Jess Roberts, and later leased the ranch from Jess when he retired. Dick continued ranching until he retired in 1996.
His favorite past-time was spending time with his grandchildren. He taught them to hunt, fish, work hard, haul bales, irrigate, drive trucks, tractors and cars, how to be a caring, loving and honest person. He loved to tease them as well. He always had a smile to share and a good story to go along with it.
He was preceded in death by his parents and all four sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret (Knutzen) Theall; son, Ronald Theall, daughter and son-in-law Julie and Rich Ladd; grandchildren Shannon Theall, Shane Theall and wife Kimberly, Marissa (Theall) Russell and husband Chris, Edie Lynn Allen Robertson and husband Daniel; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous close friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 with a potluck celebration at the Westside Grange following the services. Private interment by the family will follow.
Donations may be made to the local VFW, Home Health/Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Ousley Osterman Huffstutter Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.