January 22, 1934 — April 23, 2016
Richard Mello, 82, passed away on April 23, 2016, in St. George, Utah. He was born January 22, 1934, in Fall River, Massachusetts, across the river from where his parents lived in Rhode Island.
Richard joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict when he was 17 years old. Before Richard left the Navy, just before his 21st birthday, he met his first wife, Jackie. They had two beautiful children, a boy Richard “Rick” (Kelly) and daughter Laurie Ann. They later divorced. Richard met his second wife, Jean, who was also from Rhode Island. Richard and Jean left Rhode Island to live in California. They also had two beautiful children, two sons, Daniel (Nancy) and Timothy (Karen). Jean passed away in 2003. Richard was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he dearly loved.
Through the years Richard spent time in Rhode Island, California and Florida.
Richard and Jean took early retirement and traveled the country in their motorhome and ended up in St. George.
A couple of years after Jean passed away Richard met, Diane, also a widow. They have spent the last 10 years together.
Richard was a camp host at Red Cliffs Camp Ground. He started working at Sky Mountain Golf Course in Hurricane, right after it opened. He felt so blessed to work with Kent, the Golf Pro, and all the wonderful people that work there. Richard also felt blessed to have loving relationships with his golf buddies. Richard felt and said they were all a second family to him. When Richard wasn’t golfing he would go fishing if the weather was nice.
On March 9, 2016, he found out that he had lung cancer and it was spreading. The cancer won.
The family cannot say enough about all the loving care Richard received from Dr. Ryan Wilcox and his lovely staff members at South West Regional Cancer Clinic. They would also like to thank Sheila Gwinn, the Oncology Nurse Navigator, for all she has done for Richard, the loving staff members at Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center, and Zion Way Home Health Care and their lovely staff.
Richard wanted to thank the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in St. George and Salt Lake City for the wonderful help they gave him. Going out of their way to make sure that he was getting the care that he needed for his cancer.
Funeral Services
- Graveside services with military honors will be held Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Tonaquint Cemetery, where Richard will be placed next to his late wife, Jean.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local homeless shelter.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-635-2212.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.