Richard Earl Commons

Richard Earl Commons Obituary Richard (Dick) Earl Commons Sr. passed away on Tuesday, July 12th. He was born on September 10th, 1924 to Robert and Robin Commons in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. The middle child and only boy, he had 2 sisters, Virginia and Barbara. In 1942 he joined the Army and landed on Omaha Beach on D. Day. He was serving in Europe when he was shot by a sniper and wounded. After being wounded he came home to Twin Falls. He wanted to go to college but hadn't graduated from High School, so he went back and finished High School then went to Albion College. While in College he married Pauline Moyes. After college he couldn't find work and was offered a job in the Army as a musician. Dick re-enlisted and joined the Army Band. Those were good years for him. He loved music so much. Besides the Army Band, Dick was involved in music much of his life playing in his High School Band, the San Diego City Band, the Twin Falls City Band, C.S.I. Pep Band and a German Band. He also attended the Army School of Music in Washington, D.C. where he was the Drum Major and marched in many National Parades while he was there. He loved to sing and sang in different choirs and Quartets, he was the choir director in his church for many years and even sang at his daughter Rhonda's wedding. He was proud of founding 'Jazz at Sunset' in Monterey with his good friend, Jimmy Lyons. He and Pauline settled in San Diego after the Army. They lived there for 35 years. Pauline died in 1990 and in 1992 he came back to Idaho for a class reunion and decided to move back. He met Patricia Gallaugher and they married in July of 1993. It was a wonderful life for both of them. They traveled to Europe together and went on many camping trips all over the Western United States. The sad times came when Dick had to be placed in a nursing home where he spent the rest of his days. Survivors include his wife, Pat, his daughter Rhonda and Son-In-Law Kerry of San Diego, 4 Grand Children; Brian, Jordan, Shannon and Meaghen and 5 Great Grand Children; Logan Taylor, Jacob Conner, Jaxon Richard, Lillian Claire, Sadie Lynne and his step daughters, Kathie Gallaugher of Twin Falls and Karri Gallaugher of Astoria, Oregon. His sisters, Barbara Daniel and Virginia Louise, his parents Robert and Robin Commons and his son, Richard (Dickie) Earl Jr. preceded him in death. A Service will be held to honor his life on Monday, July 18th, 2011 at the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home at 11:00am with a graveside service following at Sunset Memorial Park. There will also be a visitation at the funeral home on Sunday, July 18th, from 5pm to 7pm. The family would like to thank the nurses and aids at River Ridge for their wonderful love and care while Dick spent many years there. In lieu of flowers the family requests any money or gifts can be given to the Alzheimer Association. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com