Richard Edward Loney

Richard Edward Loney went to join our Lord on February 27, 2016 at 3:23pm in Portland, Oregon after a lengthy battle with COPD. Our beloved “Popo” was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing.

Richard (Dick) was born June 19, 1934 in International Falls to Flossie Lovell and Richard D. Kinzer. Although he never knew his father, Richard Kinzer, by devine intervention he was provided the closure he sought for his entire life. This occurred December 2015, two days after the passing of his mother, Flossie Lovell.

Richard’s youngest daughter, Pamela (Pam) Loney preceeded him in death in 1983 .

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, (Mary Lou) Loney, of Gresham; daughters Deborah Kemp(Randy), Hillsboro, Sharon Bonaduce(Ralph), three grandchildren; Laura Pappas, Hillsboro, Anthony Bonaduce, Sherwood, Brittany Lyons, West Linn, one brother Robin Loney (Marsha) and one great grandson, Tyson Gardner of Lake Oswego and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was a phenomenal man and human being. Our dad was loved and adored by all those who knew him. Laura Pappas, his grand daughter summed up his life best “he was just everyone’s best friend, one of a kind, he was just the best person in the entire world.” His family was his entire life, and his children and grandchildren were the apple of his eye. He was a father figure and wonderful mentor to Laura and Brittany.

He was born in International Falls , Minnesota and traveled to Montana around age three than to Lake Chelan, Washington while his father worked in the mines. He talked fondly of the cold Minnesota winters and life on the farm and his many relatives. In Lake Chelan in remembered getting there by boat as the location was so remote. Shortly after, he lost touch with his father. At around age four his mother remarried Gordon Loney and they moved to Fort Francis, Ontario. He had many stories of living in Rainey River and the small town life. Eventually he returned to Minnesota and later to Portland. A very important figure in life at this time was his step-father, Wesley Lauderback. His early teen years were spent in southeast Portland where he earned the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts, Dick was also a very accomplished swimmer with many awards . He spent his high school years at Cleveland High and later briefly attended Portland State University.

He met and married (Mary Lou Wenc) in 1955 just prior to entering the US Coast Guard in 1955-1957. He served aboard the icebreaker W282 Northwind in Alaska and the Antartica. Dick had great stories about his time on the ship and insisted in sleeping in a twin bed his last few years of life because it reminded him of being aboard ship. A great feat for a big man! He and his wife raised their three girls in Portland and Gresham where he was a Charter member of the Gateway Elks, and volunteer for the Special Olympics.

He loved to travel to Hawaii and Reno with his wife where they loved having dinner at sunset by the sea. Later in life he loved to gamble on the machines and could spend hours with $20! He was an avid fisherman in his younger years.

As his wife said, he was “ strong in spirit, mind and body.” His immense determination and will to live was reflected in his life, and ultimately his death. He loved a good party, loved to laugh and had many nicknames. Those that knew Dad will truly miss their Bro, Popo, The Dicker, Bengie Squeezo and all those wonderful characters he was to us. His passion, love, great sense of humor, and devotion will live on in those that he touched. He was the best husband, father, brother and grandfather anyone could ever ask for…..God Bless You. We love you. Your Family.