THOMAS W. RICHARDS

Thomas W. Richards

MALAD, IDAHO — Dr. Thomas W. Richards, 86, died Nov. 5 in an Ogden, Utah hospital after a short illness. Born Aug. 14, 1884, Malad, to William H. and Catherine Ann Jones Richards. Married Hilda Merrill, Aug. 28, 1907, Salt Lake LDS Temple. Doctor of Dental Surgery. Graduated Colorado College of Dental Surgery, Denver. Member LDS Church. Served ward LDS bishopric. Served LDS Mission to Canada. LDS Stake president, 15 years. Charter member, past president Malad Lions Club. Received Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts. Director First Bank and Trust Co. of Idaho. Survivors: widow; son, daughters, Dr. Melvin M., Pocatello; Mrs. H. Mifflin (Grace) Williams, Mrs. James (Elna) Bischoff, both Ogden, Utah; Mrs. Reed M. (Kathryn Ann) Powell, Columbus, Ohio; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brothers, sisters, Dr. Lorin L., Salt Lake City; William H. Jr., Mrs. D. Dredge (Sara) Thomas, both Malad; Mrs. Guy (Catherine) Lund, Provo, Utah. Funeral Monday 2 p.m., Malad LDS Stake Center. Friends call Benson Mortuary, Malad, Sunday 7-9 p.m., Monday prior to services. Burial Malad City Cemetery. Family suggests contributions to the Oneida County Hospital.

Funeral Program

In Loving Memory of

DR. THOMAS W. RICHARDS – Age 86

Born August 14, 1886 – Malad City, Idaho
Passed Away Nov. 5, 1970 – Ogden, Ut.

Funeral held here for Dr. Richards

A prominent Malad LDS Churchman, Dr. Thos. W. Richards, age 86, died Thursday, Nov. 5th, at the David O. McKay Hospital, Ogden of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Dr. Richards had served in the Malad Stake High Council and presidency from 1928 until 1946 when he was called to preside over the East Central States LDS Mission, where he served until 1950. He had served in the ward bishopric, stake Sunday school board, and fulfilled a short term mission to Canada in 1928. He held numerous other church offices.

Dr. Richards also held the Silver Beaver Award, highest honor in Scouting.

Dr. Richards had practiced dentistry here from 1913 until his retirement several years ago. He had come to Malad in 1907 and taught school for three years before returning to school to study dentistry. He received his degree in 1913 at the Colorado College of Dental Surgery, Denver University.

A charter member of Malad Lions Club, he was a past president of that organization and a past chairman of Malad Parent-Teacher Association. He was a director of First Bank and Trust, Malad.

Born to William H. and Catherine Ann Jones Richards at Malad on Aug. 14, 1884, he received his early education here. He married Hulda Merrill Aug. 28, 1907, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Survivors include his widow, Malad; one son, Dr. Melvin Merrill Richards, Pocatello; three daughters, Mrs. Mifflin (Grace) Williams, Mrs. James H. (Elna) Bischoff, Ogden; Mrs. Reed M. (Kathryn Ann) Powell, Columbus, Ohio; 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters, Dr. Lorin L. Richards, Salt Lake City; William H. Richards, Mr. D. Dredge (Sara) Thomas, Malad; Mrs. Guy (Catherine) Lund, Provo.

Funeral services were conducted Monday at Malad LDS Stake Chapel with Bishop Gordon Crowther officiating under the direction of President Harold B. Lee, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church.

At the funeral home, the family prayer was offered by William H. Richards; at the chapel, the invocation was offered by President Myron P. Sorensen and the benediction was offered by President S. A. Hendricks. The obituary was given by Dr. Lorin L. Richards and the speakers were Pres. Lee, Patriarch Moyle Facer and Bishop Crowther. A duet was sung by Norma Gleed and June Crowther and a solo, by Eldon Corbridge. The accompanist was Myra Jean John, who also played prelude and postlude music.

Reed Richards Probst offered the dedicatory prayer.

Honorary bearers were Malad Stake High Priest Quorum members, directors of First Bank and Trust – T. D. Jones, Morgan Tovey, H. Ward Thomas, Lawrence Jones and John O. Wallace.

Casket bearers were Eugene M. Richards, H. M. Williams, Roger Williams, Reed Powell, Jr., Mark Bischoff, J. Brent Probst, Reed R. Probst, Merrill T. Probst.

Flowers were arranged by members of Malad Second Ward Relief Society, Verna Allen, president.

The family suggests donations to Oneida County Hospital.

Interment at Malad City Cemetery was directed by Benson Funeral Home.