Richard Eugene Hair

Walla Walla resident Richard ("Dick") Eugene Hair passed away peacefully at his home on November 7, 2015. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Dick was born on May 6, 1930, to Fredrick William and Edith Andrews Hair in Colville, Washington.

Dick was raised on the family wheat farm in Northern Walla Walla County with his three older brothers, Ed, Lloyd and Melvin.

As a young boy, he would take off and ride his pony bareback, down to the Snake River, exploring all day on his own. Growing up around deer, coyote, badgers, hawks, ravens and owls, Dick had a lifelong love of animals. He was known to bring home pets in his lunch box (a baby badger to his wife, a horned toad lizard and praying mantis to his grandchildren).

On September 14, 1952, Dick married Naomi LaVonne Bridges. They celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Dick loved working on the wheat farm and taught his children and grandchildren how to fix, and many times modify, just about anything on the farm. He enjoyed working on equipment up at their "airport shop": completely overhauling tractors and trucks, building new equipment, and restoring cars.

Dick was a member of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Walla Walla Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge, and Walla Walla Country Club.

Dick is survived by his wife, Naomi Hair, at home; his children, Steve (Elizabeth) Hair, and Shannon (Bill) Secolo; two grandchildren, Adam (Emma) Hair, Lauren (Corey) Small and his great grandbaby, Edith Marie Small, who is named after Dick's mother. He is also survived by his nephews, John Hair and Fred Hair.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society or a charity of the donor’s choice through Herring-Groseclose Funeral home.