Richard Lee McCorkill

Richard Lee McCorkill (84) was born July 16, 1940, in LaPorte, CO to Lauretta Smoyer Spallinger and Lauren Gowen McCorkill. Richard was a diesel mechanic, a business owner, an inventor and an entrepreneur. Beyond high school, Richard never let a formal education get in the way of his mechanical curiosities and abilities or his creative ideas. Richard was successful in almost everything he attempted. When he failed, he never quit. He would spend many hours thinking about how he could retool, re-engineer or how he could just start over and try again. Richard was happiest when he was challenged with a problem and helping others. Richard was a role model and mentor to many and will never know just how many lives he positively influenced by his actions and the hard-working example he set. 

 Richard married the love of his life Vera Louise Dennis on July 16th, 1960. As a couple they were blessed with two children Deborah Lynn McCorkill (Gottschalk) and Steven Richard McCorkill.

 Richard enjoyed fishing, woodworking and spending time keeping his small farm active. Richard never passed up a chance to help others with any task or job that he was able to complete. Richard was a strong man of god that allowed the light of Christ to show through him by his acts of service to others. One of his happiest times was leading young men in Royal Rangers. He and Vera both had a heart for missions and were very active in the churches they attended over the many years they were together.

 Richard departed this life on November 6, 2024. His wife of 58 years Vera McCorkill and his daughter Deborah Gottschalk preceded him in death. Richard leaves many family members to cherish his memory. His son Steven and his wife Marianne, his eldest sister Dixie Hernon and her husband Jimmie, his brother Robert Spallinger and his wife Linda, his youngest sister Marcella Shaw and her husband David. Richard was blessed with five grandchildren April Garcia (spouse Tony), Amber Gottschalk, Frederick Gottschalk (spouse Amanda), Trevor McCorkill (spouse Anna), and Scott McCorkill. Richard had seven great-grandchildren, Myha Garcia, Savannah Garcia, Tony Garcia Jr., Athena Gottschalk, Bella Garcia, Justin Maes-Arellano, and Shelby Gottschalk. 

 Family is planning a celebration of life over Memorial Day weekend in Mount Hope, Kansas.