Richard Earl Sisemore, 84, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 17, 2017 at the Ojai Valley Hospital Continuing Care Center in Ojai, Ventura County, California from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Richard “Dick” was born at home on July 8, 1932 in Compton, Los Angeles County, California to Glenn Earl and Ida Marie Canfield Sisemore. He was the second of three children. He attended St Anthony’s High School in Long Beach, California where he met the love of his life, Joan Mary Keul. After proudly serving in the US Marine Corps from 1952 to 1954, he married Joan on January 15, 1955 at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in South Gate, California.
Richard worked at Bethlehem Steel until he moved the family to Oak View California in 1961, when he became the industrial sales manager at Waukesha Engine ServiceCenter in Ventura. Richard and Joan were blessed with four children: Danny, Diane, David and Dennis. Richard and the family attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai and he was active in fundraising efforts for the new church. The children all attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School where he served as the school board president for one year.
Richard was a lifelong outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, camping and fishing, especially in the Eastern Sierra’s. He inherited his love of the outdoors from his father, Glenn, which he enthusiastically passed on to his children and grandchildren. Rich was a longtime member of the NRA and Duck’s Unlimited. He and Joan enjoyed many vacations, with their most memorable being trips to a remote fly-in fishing lodge in Alaska. Richard was the manager of the Tug Boat Duck Club in Buttonwillow, CA for many years. He shared many good times and memories at the duck club with his sons, grandkids and friends.
Rich was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Joan. His children were his highest priority and he served as a strong role model. He taught them, by his outstanding example, how to be a caring affectionate spouse, a responsible parent and a doting grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be remembered for his kindness, friendly nature, humor, loyalty, pleasant smile and his patriotism for our country.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Ida Sisemore; his sister Evelyn (Jim) Fischer; sister Donna (Dominic) Colamonico and brother-in-law James Keul. Richard is survived by Joan, his loving wife of 62 years; children Dan (Debbie) Sisemore of Ventura, Diane (Ed) Colby of Oak View, David (Terry) Sisemore of Ventura and Dennis Sisemore of Meridian, Idaho. His is survived by 13 grandchildren: Melinda (Eric Gollnick), Meghan (Berk Lindt), Todd, Chelsea, Grant, Lance, Leah, Steven, Christopher and Ryan Sisemore; Michael (Jessica), Brenda (Michael Usery) and Thomas (Tara) Colby. He is also survived by 5 precious great-grandchildren: Kayden and Madelyn Usery; Connor and Hunter Gollnick, and Jack Lindt. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sylvia Keul of Corona, CA and his “adopted” son, Chuck Teague of Santa Paula.
Richard’s family would like to thank Drs. John Padour and James Hermann for their excellent care of him for so many years. The family appreciates the compassionate home care provided by Jocelyn, Paz and Alejandra. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HELP of Ojai, PO Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 1528 Chapala St #204, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Family and friends are invited to attend Funeral Services to be held on Saturday April 1, 2017 at 11am in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 757 E. Main Street Ventura. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.