Richard Thomas Reichle

Richard Thomas Reichle, age 66, of Grants Pass, died Saturday, December 5, 2009 at his home.

No services are planned. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

He was born October 12, 1943 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California he carried the Olympic Torch one mile with cousin Ron Moss and his high school cross country team. In 1961 he graduated from Delano High School in Tulare, California. On July 8, 1967 in Carson City, Nevada he married Marcia Mrotek who preceded him in death in 2003. In 1971 he moved from Fairfield, California to Grants Pass where he worked as a commercial and residential drywall contractor in the Rogue Valley.

He was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA).

His hobbies included panning for gold, metalworking, watching sports, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include two daughters, Dawn Reichle Bailon and husband Scott of Keizer and Christie Shaw and husband Mike of Wallowa; father, Edwin Nelson of Tulare, California; two sisters, Diana Wilbur and Joyce Jarrett both of California; three brothers Garland Nelson, Glen Nelson and Danny Nelson all of California; two grandchildren, Morgan and Caleb Shaw; cousins, Gary Morgan and Anthony Morgan; an uncle, Luther Templeton and long time friends, Rick Banks, Robert Brown Family, James Broughton Family and John Lints Family.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Marcia Reichle; mother, Pauline Nelson; Aunt and Uncle, Thelma & Harvey Morgan; a sister, Regina and a cousin Allen Morgan.