Oakley, UT - Our family patriarch, Richard Arthur Bliss Sr., age 89, passed away on Dec. 15, 2016 due to age related causes.
Dick was born on Sept. 9, 1927 in Salt Lake City to Amasa Arthur Bliss and Pearl LaRue Hiatt. He was an only child and spent most of his youth in Salt Lake City, Denver, Indiana, and Oakland, California.
He graduated from Oakland Technical High School and was class valedictorian. After graduation, Dick entered the Army and served in World War II as a clerk processing the necessary discharge paperwork so those returning from the war could go home to their loved ones.
Upon discharge from the military, Dick was called on a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the New England States Mission (1947-49). During his lifetime, Dick served several missions serving in two stake missions, 19 years at the Church History Museum, 2 1/2 years as Branch President of Wasatch Villa with wife Shirley, two years in the Church Headquarters Real Estate Division, and eight years in Conference Center Event Ticketing.
Dick went on to graduate from University of California Berkeley obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in History. He attended law school for a brief time and decided to go a different direction. During a trip to Salt Lake, a cousin set him up on a blind date, who ended up being the love of his life, Shirley Ida Evans. They were sealed for all time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on Sept. 2, 1954 by Elder Eldridge Smith.
Dick was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Exchange Club, and worked more than 30 years, retiring as supervisor of retail sales from Mountain Fuel/Questar.
With his love of music, Dick, Shirley and some of their children performed in the Utah Opera Company. He had a passion and love for all types of trains.
Dick is survived by his wife, Shirley Ida Evans, Children: Kathi Bliss, Richard Arthur Bliss, Jr, (Karylyn), Kristin Lee Perkins (David), Ryan Stanley Bliss (Denise); 7 Grandchildren; and 9 Great-Grandchildren.
The Bliss Family offers deepest gratitude to the staff at Elk Meadows Assisted Living Center in Oakley, Utah for their loving care and dignified approach to the care they provided to Dick. He loved you dearly and often spoke of your kindness, outpouring of love, and respect for him.
In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests you make a donation of time or monies to your favorite charity in his memory and honor.
Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016 at Valley View 12th Ward, 2125 East Evergreen Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT with a viewing for family and friends from 10:30a-11:30a prior to the graveside service at 12 noon at Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT.
