Richard Hendricks Cone Sr.

February 4, 1922 – May 23, 2011

Richard Hendricks Cone Sr. passed away peacefully in Merced, California on May 23, 2011 at the age of 89 years. He was born to William and Cora Cone in Lake Arthur, New Mexico on February 4, 1922. He was a Merced resident for 73 years and previous lived in New Mexico for 16 years. He worked as a pipe fitter in the plumbing industry for 50 years.

Dick, as he was known by many, always had a smile on his face and was willing to help anyone who came along. He enjoyed hunting, camping, woodworking, gardening, and sharing usually humorous stories of his life experiences. He especially enjoyed being “Poppa” and “Poppy Flower” to his grandchildren.

He was very proud to have served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor, served in the Pacific Theater and North Atlantic Patrol. Throughout his life he continued to mourn the loss of the USS Atlanta at Guadalcanal which he was serving on at the time of its sinking.

Dick was a member of the Plumber and Pipe Fitters Union #442, and the Trinity Baptist Church, where he served as their Deacon.

He will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Cora Cone; sister, Clara Thorne; and niece, Laura Solomen.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elsie Cone of Merced; son, Richard Cone Jr. and wife Belle of Merced; daughter, Susan Dierker of Merced; grandchildren, Heath Cotton and husband Kier of Livermore, Adam Barden and wife Jessica of Stevinson, Erica Shea and husband Larry of San Francisco and Tyler Cone of Merced; great grandchildren, Hailey and Demetri Cotton of Livermore and Zachary and Zoey Barden of Stevinson; and one niece and one nephew both of New Mexico.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 30, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Merced District Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.