Richard Carl Kay

Richard Carl Kay (Dick), age 94, passed away March 9, 2025, in Olympia, Washington. He was born to Floyd and Vera Kay on November 1, 1930, at home on their family farm in Santaquin, Utah. He loved fishing and hunting which allowed him to spend time with his dad and other family members. After Richard graduated from high school, he attended the University of Utah where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation he served in the US Army.

While attending college he met his future wife, Noreen Hicken. They were at a school dance with different dates, but he decided Noreen was the one he wanted to be with, and he kept asking her to dance. They were married on September 11, 1953, in Heber City, Utah and were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After his military enlistment ended, Richard was offered a job working for the Bureau of Public Roads (later known as the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA)). He was assigned to Packwood, Washington, and then received an assignment to work in Olympia. His main assignment was the Seattle Freeway. He loved living in the Pacific Northwest with its beautiful scenery and hunting and fishing activities that were available. His passion for Washington led him to bargain with the FHWA to allow him to forgo all future promotions and stay in Washington. He loved to involve his family in camping, fishing, and digging razor clams at Ocean Shores. He was an avid salmon fisherman and desired to share his knowledge and skill with anyone who would accompany him on his boat. He would take his daily lunch walks to Yard Birds to get the latest and greatest, next hottest thing on the market to catch all the salmon.

Richard and Noreen liked to travel and spent time in Kuwait and the Virgin Islands. After retiring from the FHWA, he decided that he needed another job and went to work for FEMA and then the Washington State Emergency Management Department. His would say his best work was writing requests for federal money for disaster relief.

Richard was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Richard is survived by a daughter Valerie (Gregg) Johnson of Woods Cross, Utah, and sons Michael (Vicki) Kay of Olympia, Washington and Edward (Lisa) Kay of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his wife and Son Gordon Kay.

A memorial to celebrate Richard's life will be held on May 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 9341 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98516