Richard was born on July 8, 1928, in Hanford, CA, to George and Evelyn Soares. He passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at age 86. In his youth, Richard was a long distance runner and loved to dance. Both of those activities were cut short when his legs were severely burned at age 15. After spending several years in the hospital, he went on to earn his Bachelors degree from Fresno State College in 1956. There, he met his soulmate, Barbara Rich, to whom he was married for 58 years.
After graduation, Richard went on to work at W. M. Lyles Co., retiring in 1988. Richard never knew a stranger and never missed an opportunity to share a story.
Richard is survived by his loving wife Barbara; his children, Diana, Mark and his wife Anita, Laura Heagerty and her husband Joe, and Sandra Atkins and her husband Scott; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at his home parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, on Thursday, November 20, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Clovis Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to Crippled Children's Foundation; or to the donor's favorite charity.
