Richard C. (Dick) Laur was born February 25, 1942, to Charles and Julia Mead. His father died when Dick was ten months old. Later Julia married Bruce Laur who adopted Dick and his older sister, Alice.

Dick attended a twelve-grade country school in Rochester, Michigan, where he participated in football, basketball, track and the Varsity club. He was the 'star' on the football team as a 'running back'.

Just before graduation in 1960, he and three friends decided to 'skip' school and go to the military recruiting office. Three of them signed up, thus began his career in the US Air Force. After graduation, he was sent to Lackland AFB, Texas for basic training, then to Keesler AFB, Mississippi for technical training. In 1962, he was deployed to Yokota Japan AFB with TDY'S to Korea, Thailand, Guam and Wake Island. In 1964, he was transferred state-side to Moody AFB, Georgia with a TDY to Clark AFB in the Philippines and Eggland AFB, Florida. He was also stationed at Homestead AFB, Florida which was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In 1971, he was transferred to Bentwaters AFB which was a joint Royal Air Force and USA Air Force installation in Suffolk, England. He also spent time at RAF Mildenhall AFB, Suffolk UK with TDY'S to Greece, Italy and Spain.

Dick was deployed to Cam Ranh Bay, Viet-Nam in 1966; thus his Viet-Nam Veteran status.

After getting out of Viet-Nam, he was transferred to George AFB, California for eighteen months. He had his choice of two bases in the Southwest USA.

Thankfully, and with God’s handy-work, he chose Williams AFB, Arizona. We met on a blind date thru a mutual friend on June 21, 1983, and married in the Chapel at Williams on October 21, 1983. YES, four months later!

After twenty-six years & not eligible to be promoted from Master Sgt because of a heart attack at age 41, Dick retired from Williams AFB July 1, 1986, He proudly served his Country with love distinction and honor! Williams later closed in 1993.

Dick transitioned to Luke AFB to work for the Department of Defense, Civil Engineering Squadron, retiring again on February 27, 2004. ‘Double Dipper’!!

All of this service and no tattoos! He told me he and some buddies went for tattoos while in Japan but HE 'chickened' out! He started bowling in Japan and bowled for leagues wherever he was. He bowled for American Lutheran. He had only one 300 game. Dick loved sports, especially football. He liked to fish, was an avid reader, playing cards and board games with our family, going to concerts and Casinos. Quite the movie 'buff' too.

We both loved nature so we did a lot of 'glamping' & boating throughout the US. Other favorite travel was to Hawaii, London, Paris and Mexico. A family adventure to Catalina Island was fun too. Our best family trip was to Disney World & the Nasa Space Center in 2000.

Dick was a life member of the VFW. He volunteered at American Lutheran and the Lutheran Thrift Store. I volunteered him as my personal 'handyman'!

Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, daughter Heidi (Alan) Allington, Ipswich UK, sons, Justin, (Steve) Laur, London UK, Richard, Oil City, PA, step daughters Melissa (Mark) Dickinson, Ipswich UK, Susan (Joseph) Rodocker, AZ, Shannon (Kelly) Miller, AZ, sisters, Donna Laur,

Kalamazoo MI, Mary Dougherty, Lansing MI, brother-in-law, William Doty (De), AZ, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was fondly known as 'PoPo' to the 'kids'.

He was preceded in death by his sister Alice Matthews and step-son, Michael Deerr.

He was my soul mate, my everything, and I am so thankful to God for bringing him into my and my children's lives at a very difficult time. He was dearly loved by all of us and it comforts us to know that he was peacefully welcomed home and is nestled in God's arms. Peace be unto you, my beloved. My memories are my treasures forever. Our ‘PoPo’ will be so dearly missed.