Richard Everett Hemer

Richard (Dick) Everett Hemer was born in Ida Grove, Iowa on May 13, 1931 to Everett Amal Hemer and Hazel Carlson Hemer. He passed away on January 29, 2025 in Cedar Park, Texas. He grew up on farms near Kiron and Arthur, Iowa and moved to Early, Iowa as teenager. There he met Jean Ann Hanke, and after graduation from high school they were married on October 1, 1950. Dick then entered the Air Force for 4 years, during which time he and Jean lived in Texas and Wiesbaden, Germany. After returning to Early, Dick helped form the Early Seed and Grain Co. trucking business. Over the next 10 years they built it into a company with 11 big rig trucks hauling agricultural products and lumber around the Midwest. In 1964 they ended the business and Dick began working with Payless Cashways, a lumber company with 11 lumber yards based in Early. Dick moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa and became manager of one of the lumber yards. In 1969 he became a Vice President of Payless Cashways, Inc. when the company went public and moved its headquarters to Iowa Falls. Dick remained with the company until 1989, through relocations to Denver, Colorado and Kansas City, Missouri, during which time he was in charge of constructing and opening new stores. When he retired as Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors, the company had over 200 stores. After retirement Dick and Jean moved to Lago Vista, Texas, and then recently to Cedar Park, Texas.

Dick became a pilot in the 1960s and enjoyed flying his planes for many years. He enjoyed golf, all card games, traveling, and working on his computer. Dick was a Mason and Ben Hur Shriner, and a longtime member of Lakeside Christian Fellowship, Lago Vista Men’s Golf Association, and Lake Quivira Golf Club in Shawnee, Kansas.

Dick is survived by his wife of 74 years, Jean Hemer, and children Michael Hemer (spouse Carolyn Blasdell), Jeffrey Hemer (spouse Martha Whaley Hemer), and Gwendolyn Hemer (spouse Brian Snart). Dick also had six grandchildren: Kevin Hemer (spouse Caitlin Campbell), Jonathan Hemer, Allison Jochetz, Sarah Eastwood (spouse Neil Eastwood), Derek Oldham and Geana Snart, and three great-grandchildren: Fletcher, George and Collins Eastwood. He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather who took care of us all.