Richard Gideon

Richard Kent Gideon was born on May 9th, 1941, in Anthony, Kansas and passed away on May 25th, 2026, in Springfield, Mo.

He grew up in Manchester, Oklahoma, where he attended elementary school and high school, graduating from Manchester High School. After high school, he attended Northwestern State College before enlisting in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and later received an honorable discharge to return home and help with the family farm.

In 1965, Richard moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he met the love of his life, Colette. The two were married on May 28, 1966, and shared nearly 60 years together. They began their married life on Anthony Lake, in Anthony, Kansas where they owned and operated chicken houses for 4 years. After that chapter of their lives, they adopted their first daughter, Susan. Their family soon grew with the addition of three more children: Melissa, Megan, and Mikey. Richard moved his growing family to SW Missouri where he spent more than 40 years working in the garage door industry while also painting houses on the side. Even after officially retiring from the garage door business in 2004, he continued painting and taking on honey-do jobs, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

His greatest joy in life was caring for Colette, his children, and especially his grandchildren who knew him as “PePe”.

Richard never met a stranger. He had a unique gift for turning acquaintances into lifelong friends and making everyone feel like family.

His family is especially grateful for the friendship he shared with his best friend, Mike, who became an important part of his daily life. Together they spent countless hours enjoying a beer, watching and feeding birds, and talking about life.

Richard was always the first to offer help, no matter the situation. He would gladly give his last dollar to someone in need. He was quick with a joke, a smile, or a kind word, and he had a remarkable ability to brighten any room he entered. Richard loved deeply and sincerely, and that love was returned many times over by the people whose lives he touched.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Colette, of nearly 60 years; his children, Susan (Rob), Melissa, Megan (Danny); grandchildren, Mason (Iris), Olivia, Jasper, Haiden, Vivian, Olivia S., Julia, Ariana, Mia, and Mikael; great-grandchildren, Kolby, Liam, and Oliver; as well as his nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless lifelong friends, all of whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Helen Gideon; his brother, Joe Gideon; cherished son, Mike and grandson, Random.

Our family would like to express our sincerest appreciation to Dr. Steinberg and his nursing staff in the Cox Cardiac ICU, as well as the Cox Hospice staff, Palliative Care staff, and Chaplains.

The unwavering care, compassion, and kindness they showed our father throughout his journey were deeply appreciated. Their dedication brought comfort not only to him but also to our entire family during a very difficult time.

We are profoundly grateful for the exceptional support and professionalism each of you provided. Thank you for treating our father with such dignity, respect, and compassion. We cannot thank you enough for the difference you made in his life and in ours.

Richard’s kindness, generosity, humor, and unwavering love for family and friends will be remembered always. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the family he cherished above all else.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be on Sunday, June 14th at noon, at Enchanted Hills, 6649 N Farm Road 175, Springfield, MO, 65803.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.