Richard Lee "Dick" Zahniser

Dick graduated from Brookfield High School (OH) while residing in Sharon, PA. During the four years of high school he worked for Golden Dawn Grocery Store to help his mother with household expenses, as his father had died when Dick was eight years old. He enlisted in the Navy at age 20, was schooled and was assigned to the Military Construction Battalion #11, at Port Hueneme Naval Base, Port Hueneme, CA. He served with MCB #11 in Guam, Okinawa and Midway from 1958-1962.

Between tours, on the base at Port Hueneme, he was introduced to Kathleen Kinney in September of 1960. They married on July 28, 1962 in Ojai, CA. They were about to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary.

Dick and Kathy moved to the outskirts of Merlin, OR in 1964. Dick was employed by a construction contractor who built I-5 in this area, was a jitney driver for Bates Plywood Mill in Merlin, worked in the produce department at Mayfair Market and worked for the Josephine County Road Department for several years. He began a 15 year self-employed career as a finish carpenter and cabinet installer in 1976. Dick and Kathy moved to La Pine, OR in 1992 where Dick worked for Sun Forest Construction as a finish carpenter until he retired in 2004 and moved back to Grants Pass.

Dick and Kathy were blessed to adopt their 7-week old son, Devin in 1972.

Dick's hobbies over the years included bowling, fishing, hunting, and coaching soccer and Little League. He shared his woodworking skills at St. Anne Catholic Church and created various pieces for friends and family.

Dick was preceded in death by his mother and father, older sister, Phyllis Teague and niece, Kathleen Palazzo.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Kathleen, son, Devin, three grandchildren,

Joseph, Colton and Kylee, numerous nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law Leah Willis and Gale Shoemaker.

Dick's ear-to-ear smile and heartfelt caring nature will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Anne Catholic Church on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 11:00 am. Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.