Richard Eugene Whitehead

On a beautiful spring morning, Heavenly Father opened His arms and welcomed home a beloved son, Richard Eugene Whitehead. “Dick” was the second son born to Lance Rolland and Nethella Whitehead in Twin Falls on March 20, 1932.

Dick attended Twin Falls schools. In high school he played baseball, football and played the saxophone in the band. After graduating he attended ISU for 1 year. While he was a senior in high school he met Theresa (Terry) Hinkley.

Soon after the Korean war had started, Dick joined the U.S. Navy. Before heading to basic training he and Terry became engaged. After basic training, he was stationed at the Millington Air Force base in Memphis, Tennessee.

On Nov. 12, 1951, Dick hitch hiked home from Tennessee. Dick and Terry were married on Nov. 18th in Twin Falls. After the wedding the couple left for Memphis. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Dick was assigned to serve on a destroyer escort, one of the smallest ships in the Navy. They patrolled the Atlantic Ocean and sailed to Ireland and England. Dick was honorably discharged in 1954. After leaving the Navy he went to work in Winnemucca, Nevada where he seeded clouds to increase the rain fall.

Several years later, Dick started working for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. on a telephone construction crew. He worked in various Mountain Bell divisions in Burley and in 1965 he was transferred to Twin Falls as a supervisor in the Estimate Department.

In 1977, Dick and his son, David, went into business together and bought an insulation and siding Co. They named their company “Whitehead Home and Energy”. They expanded the business to include all exterior home products.

Dick was a very talented “master” carpenter. His love for woodworking began when he took a shop class at age 14 and this passion continued throughout the rest of his life. Dick built furniture, lovely homes, helped boy scouts with projects and did beautiful finish work.

In 1972 he bought 1/3 acre of land up by Stanley in the Fisher Creek division. He and his 3 sons, David, Gary, and Brent, built the family cabin. Hundreds of memories occurred as they rode bikes and hiked into hidden lakes, fished, hunted, and water skied on Alturas and Red Fish Lakes. While at the cabin, he loved to toast marshmallows and hot dogs with his children and grandchildren. This was a great time to talk and share family stories. He said that the stars were brighter and closer to the earth up at the cabin.

Dick and Terry traveled to many wonderful places throughout the world, but Dick always said that the trip from Sun Valley to Stanley was as beautiful as anything he had ever seen. You have the White Cloud Mountains followed by the Big Wood River. The majestic Sawtooth Mountains were on the other side of the road from our cabin with the Salmon River flowing down the middle of the valley. This was Dick’s most favorite place to be.

Dick was a very kind and honest man. While in business he bought materials and supplies often based upon a gentleman’s hand shake agreement. He always worked hard from the time he was in high school working until he retired from his business when he was 82 years old. He taught his 5 children the value of hard honest work.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held many positions, with Scout Master being his favorite job.

Dick developed a chronic kidney disease and congestive heart failure. He fought a tough battle as his health declined. Dick passed away on May 17th in his home with his loving family by his side.

Dick was preceded in death by a son, Gary, a daughter-in-law, Valorie, his brother, Wayne, a grand daughter, Lori, his parents and grandparents. He leaves behind his wife, Terry, to whom he was married to for 64 ½ years, his children David (Patti) Whitehead, his daughter Carolyn (Brent) Jensen, son Brent (Julie) Whitehead, and a daughter Rachelle (Darrin) Borges, 18 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

Friends may call on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 5 – 7 P.M. at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd in Twin Falls. Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 723 N. Hankins Rd in Twin Falls. A viewing will also be held one hour prior to the services.

Those who wish may share memories and condolences on his memorial page at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.