Richard Symons

Richard E. Symons,70, of Larimore, ND, went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 28, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Center in Larimore.

Rick was born September 16, 1953, to Richard and Mary (Johnston) Symons from Barton, Maryland. He attended Barton Public School and Valley High School where he played football. Rick grew up on his family farm located on a mountain side in Barton, Maryland. His dad raised Polled Hereford and hayed the land. Rick used to go out to the pasture where the bull was kept and butt heads with the bull before going to the football game.

Rick, wanting to serve his country, joined the Air Force after graduating from high school and was stationed at the Grand Forks AFB where he was assigned to the Transportation Squadron as a driver. Rick mastered every vehicle from pick-ups to tractor trailers and always gave 110%. Rick served three TDY tours. Two at Uncle Sam’s “Country Club” living in a tent on the island of Guam and the other off the coast of Italy on the island of Sardinia. After leaving the Air Force Rick, joined the National Guard and worked as a Recruiter. Rick would take leave during late summer to return to Maryland to help his dad put up hay for the winter and visit family. He loved the farm and all the hard work that went with it.

Rick was always quite the talker and would stop and talk to anyone. One day, he was picking up supplies from the Supply Squadron on the base and met Kay VanHoudt. Naturally, Rick struck up a conversation with Kay. and after that, he made excuses to get supplies every day. Kay and Rick were married July 30, 1976, and made their home in Larimore. The joy of Rick’s life was the birth of his son Ricky.

On Rick’s days off from the military, wanted to work on a farm. He was introduced to John Emslie by his friend Gary Verville. From there, he met all the farmers in the McCanna area and soon was working for many of them. Ralph and Colette McCanna became Rick’s adopted North Dakota family. They treated Rick, Kay, and Ricky as if they were their own children.  He loved it and worked hard and long hours. Rick had a saying that he lived by, “You don’t quit until the job is done.”

Rick had some special things that he loved to do; family was usually top of his list. Watching Ricky run around a football field catching the pig skin gave him great joy, as he reminisced his glory days. He enjoyed traveling the countryside to watch Ricky do truck pulling events. Then he would watch Ricky tear the engine apart to make it better. Cutting wood became a family affair with Rick loading the splitter, Kay working the controls and Ricky stacking. Rick loved to do anything with his family. Rick loved the outdoors, whether it was working in the woods, cutting down trees, or walking through a shelterbelt hunting for deer. He was in his happy place outside. He liked to fish but honestly, he was not that good at it.

Rick had a gift of conversation, memory of an elephant and a heart of gold. He remembered the smallest details about people and events, even after one conversation. Rick would literally drop everything to go help and ask nothing in return.

Rick was proceeded in death by his parents Richard and Mary Symons, Father and Mother-in-law, Bill and Evelyn VanHoudt, brothers-in-law: Jimmy Beeman, Jack VanHoudt, Bill VanHoudt, and nephew, Travis VanHoudt.

Rick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kay, his son Ricky (Savannah) Symons of Larimore, ND, sister Alice Beeman of Barton, MD, brothers-in-law: Dan (Donna) VanHoudt, Ron (Terri) VanHoudt, Doug VanHoudt, Greg (Kim) VanHoudt, and Henry (Julie) VanHoudt, sisters-in-law: Sue Roemhildt, Ann VanHoudt, Nancy VanHoudt, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICES: Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the Bakke Funeral

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday in the Bakke FuneralHome.

VISITATION will be one hour prior to the service Saturday.

INTERMENT:  Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore, ND.

MILITARY HONORS:  Ted Valerius Post 97 of the Larimore American Legion and the US Army Honor Guard.