Richard Casdorph

Richard Vaughn Casdorph

Richard Vaughn Casdorph, 85, passed away peacefully in his home on May 21, 2017.  He is reunited with his wife, Carol, and is forever released from the well-endured burden of a brain injury he sustained in Korean War.  Richard leaves a legacy of love and service to God, family, country, and his fellow man.

Richard was born on August 23, 1931, in St. Albans, West Virginia, to James Steward Casdorph and Myrtle Grace Vaughn.  He enjoyed growing up “back home” in the Country Roads of West Virginia, and attended school in Charleston. He moved to Sumatra, Montana and lived with a sister and her husband on their farm, and there graduated high school.  After high school he went to live with another sister, and there met his future wife, who babysat his sister’s children.

In 1951, Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  In October, 1952, he was injured above his left eye in the cerebral frontal lobe.  Twenty-four days later he awoke in a Naval hospital in Japan, and began the long journey to recovery, including re-learning to walk, talk, read, and write.  Richard’s life was an example of quiet, humble, dignified acceptance of the struggle this injury brought upon him.  He never regretted serving our country in Korea and he was extremely proud to be a “Jar Head”.

Richard served in the Northern California LDS Mission and upon his return, resumed his courtship with Carol Jean Parsons.  They were married on June 10, 1955, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  Together they raised nine children and were active in the lives of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Richard worked diligently and dutifully as a records clerk at HAFB until retirement.   He also worked as a barber out of his basement, enjoying that time to visit with his long-time customers who were lifelong friends.  After Carol passed away in 2005, Richard lived with his youngest daughter, Anne, and her family, until his death.

Richard was preceded in death by beloved wife, Carol; his parents, James and Myrtle; his brothers, Wilford and Garland; his sisters, Juanita, Helen, Julia, and Nellie; his son, Allen; and three grandchildren.  He is survived by his sister Jean (Leon) Coleman, his children, Virginia (Craig) Porter, Julie (Kim) Johnson, Lorraine (Martin) Dobson, Maureen (Johnnie) Cook, Myron (Toni), Vaughn (Heidi), Chalane (Mark) Wride, Anne (Dustin) Volk; thirty-seven grandchildren and thirty-four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Crestwood Stake Center, 855 E. Mutton Hollow Road, Kaysville.  Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.