Clear, 58° F
(June 25, 2009)
Richard Brazelton, 60, of Dickinson, N.D. died Thursday, June 25, at his home.
Richard was born April 28, 1949, to Warren Harding and Lorraine Louise (Petrick) Brazelton in Worland. He lived in Worland until August 1966, when his family moved to Powell. Richard’s passion during school was wrestling. As a heavyweight, he won several tournaments.
He graduated from Powell High School in 1967. He then took a trip to California and worked at a gas station with his brother, Warren. Upon returning to Wyoming, he worked construction and attended Northwest Community College, graduating with an associate degree in education in 1972.
Richard met his wife, Karen, on a blind date in July 1972, and they were married on January 22, 1973, in Worland. He worked for K&T Well Service for a time thereafter. Their two children, Richard Travis and Ricci-Jean, were born in Powell. The family then moved back to Worland, where Richard worked for Crown Cork & Seal Canning Co. He was voted vice president of the union.
In April 1980, they moved to Dickinson, where his brother talked him into going back to the oil business. Richard worked as a “pusher” for ABC Well Service until 1991. He then worked at St. Wenceslaus Church until he was injured in 1995.
Richard went back to college and graduated from Dickinson State University with a bachelor’s degree in university studies in 2000. Due to numerous health problems, he retired in 2001.
During retirement his hobbies included coin and stamp collecting, and he joined the Rock Club of Dickinson. Richard’s joy and passion in life were his grandchildren. Wherever they were, he would do anything to be there with them.
Richard is survived by his wife of 36 years, Karen, of Dickinson; his son, Richard Travis Brazelton (Heather) and their children, Christopher and Catera, all of Dickinson; his daughter, Ricci-Jean Banyai (Shawn) and their children, Mykayla, Kendell and McKenna of Minnesota; brothers Warren Brazelton of Venezuela and Jerrold Brazelton of Worland; and his mother-in-law, Kathleen Braun, of Taylor, N.D.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bonnie Tuttle.
Funeral services for Richard Brazelton, 60, of Dickinson were on June 30 in Dickinson. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com
