Boots, Richard Alford

Richard Alford Boots, 90, of Cedar Rapids, left the family who loved him and stepped into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, following a long illness. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at Westdale Community Church, located at 3211 Edgewood Road SW. Burial will follow in Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until service time at Westdale Community Church. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is handling arrangements.

Richard was born Sept. 16, 1922, in Morley, the son of David J. and Esther A. (Farnham) Boots. He married Mary Lucille Westberg on Dec. 15, 1942, in Zimmerman, Minn. He was a longtime member of the Church of God of Prophecy and served as a deacon.

Survivors include daughter, Sharon (Roger) Hiles of Fairfax; son, Michael (Mary) Boots, and daughter, Patricia (Keith) Thomas, both of Papillion, Neb.; daughter, Shirley Gruwell of Indianapolis, Ind.; son, Robert Boots of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Deborah (Tom) Carpenter of Council Bluffs; daughter, Janyce (Myron) Gilbert of Cedar Rapids; sister, Gladys Westberg of Anoka, Minn.; 18 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren.

Richard loved farming and all things mechanical. He was very industrious, had many skills, and created many of the tools he used. After he left farming, he worked in the construction industry and for many years at Link Belt Speeder / FMC. After retiring in 1985 he continued to work part-time at Conveyor Engineering. Richard loved his family greatly, loved to tease, and helped anyone who had a need if it was in his power to do so.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary, who died June 28, 2006; two sisters, Margaret Thompson and Vera Johnson; and a brother, Merwyn Boots.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .

Published Nov. 23, 2012 in The Gazette