Richard Myron Alkema Jr

Richard Myron Alkema Jr.
Richard Myron Alkema, 75, recently of Ogden Utah, but also a long time resident of Napa California died on Sunday, June 7, 2015 of natural causes. Richard was surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the time of his death.
He was born as the second child and first son of six children to Richard and Helen Alkema Aug. 8, 1939, in Ogden, Utah. Growing up on a farm, Richard learned the importance of hard work and being responsible at a very early age. Not only did he help his father farm their property, but he also took on extra work for his uncle in his nearby orchard. Not long after graduating from Weber High School in 1947, he enlisted with the Air Force. In the Air Force, he became experienced with the repair of electrical systems and not long after receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force he accepted a job with a major electronics firm. Desiring the freedom of being his own boss, he taught himself the construction trade and soon became certified as a general contractor. With his early years growing up on a farm and experiencing the necessity of keeping old farm equipment operating, coupled with his Air Force training on electrical systems, he was soon a very highly sought after General Contractor. He quickly earned a reputation of being dependable and having an uncanny ability to build or repair anything. General contracting became his lifelong pursuit outside of his devotion to his family.
He married his sweetheart, Barbara Bonnie Whetton on April 4, 1957. Together he and his wife, Barbara had eight children and a very happy family. However upon her death in childbirth with their eighth child, Richard and his young family were devastated. His young family learned to take on household responsibilities exceeding that of most average families, in order that Richard could continue to support his family. Richard would eventually remarry; his second wife, Sheri Dansie, also adopting his ninth child from her prior marriage. He and Sheri would then have four more children, thus Richard raised a total of thirteen children; Richard, Steven, Denise, Stacy, Jason, Kimberly, Amy, Eric, Sharelle, Joshua, Jameson, Alissa and Logan. Upon his death he also had 37 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Richard was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved the outdoors including fishing and hunting for rare metals both in the mountains and the desert.
There will be a Life Celebration for him on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the LDS Church located at 1450 South 800 East, Orem, Utah. Friends of the family wishing to attend are welcome.
Arrangements entrusted to Myers Ogden Mortuary.
CemeteryMemorial Gardens of the Wasatch
1718 Combe Rd
Ogden, UT 84403
June 13, 2015
2:30 PM
ServiceGraveside

,
June 13, 2015
2:30 PM
Life CelebrationLDS Church
1450 South 800 East
Orem, UT
June 13, 2015
7:00 PM