Richard John Grace

Mr. Richard “Dick” John Grace of Albany, husband, father, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa, lost his battle with several long-term illnesses on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. Dick was born Sept. 4, 1930, in Prescott, Wash. In 1939, Dick moved with his parents, Monta and Eleanora (McGoon) Grace, and his siblings to Philomath, where he completed school. He was the middle son of six sons and one daughter, who all preceded him in death. Dick was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, and served honorably in Korea until 1953. After returning from the war, he moved to Montana and worked in the rodeo circuit, the oil fields and on ranches where his father had grown up. He also spent several years driving trucks and operating heavy equipment in Montana. After moving back to Oregon, he worked in the road-building divisions of the timber industry. He lost a thumb to a mill accident in Philomath — he loved to tease his grandchildren by telling them his missing thumb was the result of a rat’s chewing it off one night as he slept. He married Mary Alice (Hyde) Henderson of Philomath, and they moved to the Bend area, where Dick worked building roads for Scanlon Logging. At the start of the turndown of logging, he moved his family to the Seattle area, where he worked in heavy equipment rental and repair for Star Rental. Dick’s wartime injuries and an industrial accident left him disabled, so he moved his family back to Corvallis and retired in the Monroe area. In 1992, Dick and his wife moved to Albany, where they remained. Dick was never without a dog at his side, a book in his hand, a garden to tend and a cup of coffee nearby. He will be remembered for his gentle nature with animals, and his love of telling tall tales of hunting and fishing to his grandchildren. Dick is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Alice Grace; daughter Keri Bur of Pennsylvania; son Mac Henderson of Idaho; son John Henderson of Virginia; daughter Monte Rice of Jefferson; daughter Ellie Horning of Albany; son Bryon John Grace of Albany; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A military memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Eastside Christian Church, 1910 Grand Prairie Road S.E., Albany. Memorial donations in Dick’s name can be directed to SafeHaven Humane Society in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

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Richard John Grace

September 4, 1930 - January 29, 2014