Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, George Kyle Riches, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at the age of 87 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kyle was born June 28, 1927 in Salt Lake City to Waldine Zimpelman and Joseph Clyde Riches; the second of three children. He married his sweetheart and eternal companion Shirley CarLeah Christensen on August 11, 1948 in the Logan LDS Temple. Kyle passed four months shy of their 67th wedding anniversary.
Kyle was a valiant and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings but especially enjoyed the time spent as an Explorer Boy Scout Leader in the Valley View 2nd Ward. Kyle participated in weekly sealing sessions for 8 years until his body could no longer keep up with his desire to serve. Kyle saw to it that all of his grandchildren who wanted to serve missions were well outfitted for their missions.
Kyle served our country in WWII as a military policeman in Austria at the end of the war. Kyle graduated from South High School in 1945 and later he served as student body vice-president at Trade Tech (now known as Salt Lake Community College) and served as the alumni president from 1971-72. Kyle\s first job was an ice department engineer at Hygeia Ice and helped to build the ice rink in Sugar House. He worked at Meyer and Welch, a division of Novi, where he installed the first automobile air conditioners. Later he owned and operated K. and S. Auto Service in Salt Lake. Kyle inherited Distinctive Drapery, and later, along with two partners he owned and operated SALCO Mfg making custom drapes for projects such as the LDS temples and the Beehive House. After his retirement from SALCO he enjoyed driving a school bus for Jordan and Granite School Districts.
He loved spending time at his cabin at Bear Lake with his family and did all of the finishing work inside the cabin with his son, son-in-laws, grandsons, and friends. Kyle\s posterity have countless fond memories of their time at Bear Lake. Kyle was the epitome of the definition of a "jack-of-all-trades" and a master of many. He so lovingly shared his time and talents with all those in need.
He is survived by his wife Shirley; children: Kay (Dennis) Larsen, Martin (Dianne) Riches, Lee (Val) Whitehead; eleven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren and one more on the way; sister Mary Jane Petzar; sister-in-law Lois Riches. Preceded in death by parents, brother Ralf C. Riches, and brother-in-law George M. Petzar.
The family would like to thank Access Home Health and Hospice, Alta Ridge Assisted Living, and CareSource Home Health and Hospice for the loving and compassionate care they have given to Kyle.
Upon Kyle\s request there will be a Visitation on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 6:00 ‚ 8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.) Sandy. A private family graveside service will be held Monday, April 13, 2015 prior to interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Primary Children\s Medical Center in Kyle Riches\ name as several of his great grandchildren have greatly benefited from their services.
