Richard Thomas Mooney
March 14, 1912 - Aug. 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:57 AM PDT
Weiser
Richard Thomas Mooney, 96, Weiser, entered into eternal rest to join his wife, Faye, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at his son Terry’s home, due to heart failure. A celebration of his life will start with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weiser. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weiser. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weiser, under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home, Weiser. Everyone is invited to a roast beef dinner after the service provided by St. Agnes, located in the Catholic Parish Hall.
Richard was born at home March 14, 1912, in Roseville, Calif., to Joe and Maude Mooney. He attended Rosedale and Excelsor Schools until eighth grade.
Richard had an outstanding high school athletic and academic career at Roseville High School where he graduated in 1929.
He played on the 1927 Northern California Championship Football team. He also ran the 440 and earned a state high school record. (He watched in admiration at this year’s Olympians and their accomplishments stating they just might be a little bit faster than he was.) He was also a member of Honor Club, and recognized for his good school behavior.
As a rancher’s son Richard worked alongside his dad doing what he truly loved, ranching. Though he was a rancher at heart, to make ends meet, he supplemented his ranching by working for the Civilian Conservation Camp, worked on a dredge for a mining company, and worked as a dairyman. Before moving to Weiser in 1961, Richard ranched in various places in California, including Roseville, Bear Valley, Slough House, Sierra Valley, and Franklin. Richard’s first and favorite home in Idaho was on Mann Creek, where he lived prior to “retiring” to a smaller ranch on Island Road.
When he officially retired at 92 he moved into town, where he lived in his own home until July of this year.
Richard met Faye Joerger, the love of his life, in Bear Valley. They were married Nov. 10, 1935, in Fair Oaks, Calif., and were together for 68 years until Faye’s passing in 2003. Richard often stated she was the prettiest woman he knew, and that he was the luckiest man to have her as his wife.
Richard was a member of the Knights of Columbus in California and was currently a third degree knight. He was actively involved with assisting with 4-H, a board member of the Weiser Valley Highway District for years, and was a member with the Weiser River Cattlemen and National Farmers Organization. His faith played a major role in his life, with much volunteering at the St. Agnes Catholic Church. He and Faye were instrumental in the starting of the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner held by St. Agnes, which has been a tradition in the Weiser community for years. He found great comfort in his faith.
Richard will be remembered for his love of a good debate, and his disappointment when you didn’t participate. He spent many years following his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors, including academics, athletics and 4-H. He was proud that all of his children attended college, as he had high regard for education. Richard and Faye were University of Idaho Vandal “Boosters of the Year,” and he loved following the Vandals. He had an abundance of words of wisdom, and funny little sayings to share with his grandkids and great grandkids.
He was an excellent teacher by example. His faith and deep commitment to his wife are a part of his legacy he leaves us with. When Faye started showing signs of Alzheimer’s he was the primary caregiver. He arranged for in-home care for 15 years so they could be at home together. Family was very important to Richard. He was able to travel throughout the country this year to spend time with his family, and his home was filled with family pictures from near and far. This month he attended a Mooney family reunion in Sacramento where more than 150 Mooneys gathered, with Richard being the patriarch. Upon his return he talked daily of what a good time he had and the new memories and growth of the family. He has inspired many with his living dedication to his family and church along with his words of wisdom.
Richard leaves behind his children, Frank and Marcia Mooney, Sacramento, Calif.; Dick and Jody Mooney, McCall; Pete and Mooney, Ava, Mo.; Terry and Lori Mooney, Weiser; Patricia Mooney, Caldwell; Tim and Hollie Mooney, Pullman, Wash.; and special daughter-in-law Lupe Mooney, Sacramento, Calif. His legacy also includes 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild,which he got to meet at the family reunion. He also leaves behind many generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as many friends, and ranchers.
When Richard’s health took a turn the family asked him where he might want to live, without hesitation he said, “Home; home to Weiser. There’s no place like home.” Weiser’s spirit of helping is deeply appreciated by the family. Many thanks to the special personal caregivers who assisted the last few weeks, along with Orion Home Health, Pathways Hospice and Dr. Andrew Peterson. We also would like to thank those who visited Richard over the last few years, bringing goodies, taking him for a ride or out to a meal; along with Mike Muir and staff, the Homestead Café crew, his favorite dinner place, and we can’t forget his treasured Catholic community of friends. We have been blessed.
Richard was able to be independent and active for a very long time; living life on his terms, and Weiser was the reason why. He will be missed, but we are better for having shared a part of his life. We know he is sharing his tales and “debating” with those who have gone before him. Faye is most likely giggling and saying, “you old fool.”
The family suggests memorials be made in his name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Agnes Catholic Church Building Fund; P.O. Box 87; Weiser, ID 83672.
