Richard Smith (Dick) Fullmer, 80, passed away May 27, 2017 surrounded by family members after suffering from COPD and experiencing excruciating pain for seven years from shingles. Throughout this ordeal, he never complained.
Dick was revered for his tireless work ethic and 30-year law enforcement career. He was on the first-ever motorcycle squad for the Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Office ('56-63), also served on the Utah Highway Patrol (1970-82), and was a key member of the security team for the Utah Supreme Court during Governor Norman Bangerter's eight-year term. Working under Governor Bangerter was perhaps his favorite job of all-time. He also worked a dozen years for Salt Lake Co. Public Works as an inspector/troubleshooter.
Dick was born August 12, 1936 in Salt Lake City to Harry Smith Fullmer and Helen Madison, and spent his formative years growing up in Sandy. One of his first jobs was driving a truck at age 9 on a farm in Circleville, Utah ‚ the place he loved more than any place on earth, particularly while spending summers with his Grandma Fullmer.
Dick graduated from Jordan High School in 1954 and started working at Kennecott Copper Mine, becoming the youngest boss ever at age 19, where he oversaw a crew of 18 men.
One of Dick's passions early in life was racing cars, and he taught himself how to be a stand out mechanic, specializing in rebuilding carburetors. Another of Dick's early jobs was working for Utah's Fish and Game Dept. ‚ he was the first person to plant fish in Lake Powell in the ‚Äò60's.
After leaving UHP in 1982, he started Dick Fullmer's Mountain Green Landscaping, where he was renowned for his sprinkling system expertise. Notable landscaping projects included planting all trees at Abravenal Hall in downtown Salt Lake City, and installing the sprinkler system at Wasatch State Park in Midway. Dick had an unusually strong work ethic and could outwork most men.
Dick married Suzanne ‚ÄòSue' Harrison of Springville January 27, 1970. They raised two sons, Bradley Harrison Fullmer and Richard Smith Fullmer. Dick is survived by wife Sue; his sons; five grandchildren (Cody Parsons, Connor Loose, Ava Lynne Fullmer, Halli Sue Fullmer, Heyden Smith Fullmer); two brothers ‚ Gary Fullmer and Rodney Fullmer, and beloved nephew and landscaping partner Brian Jensen.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 1,2017 at 11:00am at Crescent 8th Ward, 2080 E. Pinecrest Lane (11350 South) in Sandy, with a viewing from 9:00 ‚ 10:30am prior to the service. Burial will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy.
Our family would like to thank Intermountain Hospice, whose care over his final months was invaluable. Also, heartfelt thanks to many caring neighbors and friends. Dick Fullmer spent his life living the Golden Rule and doing good deeds for family, friends, and especially those in need.
We will all miss him!
