Richard L. Massey

October 11th, 1932 - September 19th, 2016

Salem – Richard Lee Massey, "Dick", 83, died on Monday, September 19, 2016 while under hospice care due to several medical complications.

Dick, or "Pops" as his family called him, was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon on October 11, 1932. He moved to Salem, Oregon, as a young boy and attended Salem High School, where he met the love of his life, Betty Anne Massey. They were married for 58 wonderful years until her death in 2011.

He had a career in the wholesale grocery industry, starting in a local market. He then worked for several wholesale food companies beginning as a rack-jobber and rising to the ranks of management before retiring from Fleming Co. He also served for nine years in the Oregon National Guard.

Dick loved the outdoors, especially camping, fishing, and generally enjoying the animal life. His hobbies included golfing, bird watching and woodworking. With the latter, he became an active partner with his creative wife in many projects that combined her artistic talents with his shop skills. He was indeed a handyman in the classic sense.

In addition, he loved the ocean, piano and saxophone music and anything capturing the "Old West"; in fact, he was an avid fan of John Wayne and also enjoyed Louis L' Amour novels. Due to his size and mannerisms, Dick was sometimes called John Wayne. He enjoyed people and was known for his teasing easy banter.

He will be remembered as a kind and good man, a faithful husband and caretaker for his wife, Betty, and as a solid inspiration for his two children David and Judy. His mother, Clara Fliflet; his father, William L. Massey; his two brothers, William Jr. and Trevel Massey; his lovely wife Betty and his daughter-in-law Teresa Massey precede Dick in death. His son, David L. Massey; his daughter Judy K. Anderson and son-in-law Ken Anderson; grandson, Christopher L. Massey and many loved nieces and nephews survive Dick.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016, 2:00PM at Howell-Edwards Doerksen Funeral Home at 1350 Commercial St. SE, Salem. A reception will follow and memorials may be given to the Willamette Humane Society on Turner Rd.