Obituary: Byrnes, Richard Thomas
December 15, 1921 - May 19, 2012
“Lucky” was born in Spokane and graduated from North Central High School.
After his time in the Air Force during WWII, he returned to Spokane and learned to fly.
Flying was something he loved to do and he had many small model planes he enjoyed “flying” when he was able.
He joined the Spokane Police Force and was a motorcycle patrolman for several years, then drove in a patrol car.
Later he became a detective and then took early retirement after the World’s Fair here in Spokane.
“Lucky” was also a member of the Community Radio Watch CB Club.
He is preceded in death by his parents James and Lillian; brothers James and Raymond, and his daughter Donita.
He is survived by his wife Lola; his sister, Elsie and Leo; his children David and Mary Ellen, Denise, Dayle, Dana and Carol, Yvonne and Dick Snell, Vicki and Gene Petersen, Jay and Marie Day, George and Linda Davis, several other stepchildren, nieces and nephews, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
We would like to thank Yvonne and Dick for their love and care of Dad in the recent years.
They are a very special part of our family.
We would like to thank the staff at the Sportsman CafĂŠon Market for their friendship over the years.
Dad loved going there and called it “The Club”.
They were special people to him.
Thank you everyone.
And we would also like to say thank you to Hospice of Spokane and to the staff and volunteers who gave their time and attention so willingly to Dad and Lola.
They even arranged a “last wish” for Dad when he mentioned how much he loved flying by surprising him with a chance to go flying one more time last year.
The pilot even let him fly the plane for a short time.
He talked about his flight all the time.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hospice of Spokane in Dads memory.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 2, at 3:00 p.m. at Bethel Church of the Nazarene at 1111 South Thor Street.