Orville Richard Loney Jr.

Orville Richard Loney Jr was born in Walla Walla, Washington on August 1942 to Ruth and Orville Loney Sr. He was the oldest of four siblings. Richard spent his formative years farming with his dad which instilled a strong work ethic. He was proud to be part of the first graduating class from Walla Walla’s DeSales High School and was responsible for hitting the first home run in the DeSales baseball team’s history.

After briefly attending Eastern University, Richard moved to Twin Falls, Idaho and began his career in the airline industry. He started at the ticket counter and loading bags for West Coast Airlines. He transferred to Seattle and spent the next 40 years on the ramp working for West Coast, Air West, Hughes Airwest, Republic Airlines and finally Northwest Airlines.

Richard met his wife, Nancy Hoynes, on a blind date in an airport lounge at Boeing Field. After a couple years, Richard was working up the courage to ask her to marry him but Nancy, feeling bold thanks to nickel beers, popped the question first. The couple married in 1968 and spent their honeymoon on a whirlwind trip to Europe including a visit with the Pope.

Kari and Erik were born over the next several years. Richard was an incredibly supportive father who believed in the importance of education. He worked hard to make sure his children had every opportunity and college wasn’t a choice but an expectation. Richard was an avid sports fan and could be heard yelling at his kids’ soccer games from several fields away.

Richard made lifelong friends while working on the school board and attending the couple’s bible study at St Francis Catholic School and parish in South Seattle. These friends celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays together throughout the years and, after retiring, Mariner’s Spring Training in Arizona. They formed The Norske Construction Company and worked on each other’s and their children’s homes around the region.

Richard’s greatest joy was spoiling his grandsons Cooper and Lukas Loney. He loved spending time with the boys and watching them grow into amazing young men.

Richard was a loving and generous man with a quick, dry sense of humor. He wanted to see the best in every situation and believed it would always work out in his favor. Richard traveled the world when he was able and spent time with loved ones whenever he could. He will be missed every day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of his favorite charities – St Jude’s, the Shriners or to the charity of your choice.