A funeral cortege of Washington State Department of Transportation trucks, police vehicles and private cars took mourners to the memorial service held Saturday, Nov. 28, for Forks-raised Myron "Neal" Richards.

Richards, 42, who lived in Sequim at the time of his death, was killed Nov. 18 near Indian Creek along U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles by a falling tree limb while removing storm debris with a WSDOT crew.

The service drew more than 200 people to the Port Angeles Naval Elks Lodge. Richards' parents, Gordon and Willena Richards of Forks, and other family members attended the service.



Kind boss, good man

Richards was remembered at the service as a kind boss, good family man and member of a Forks family who had in years past suffered tragic losses of another son and a daughter - a road crew flagger who died last year in a highway construction zone.

Burial followed at

Sequim View Cemetery.

"We are tremendously saddened by Neal's death," said Paula Hammond, Washington transportation secretary, in a statement prior to the funeral.

Forks Police Chief Mike Powell drove his motorcycle to the service, honoring Richards' years of service with the Forks Police Department and highlighting Richards' love for motorcycling.



Scores of vehicles

The memorial service began at 2:30 p.m. and was preceded Saturday morning by a funeral procession of scores of private cars, state Department of Transportation trucks and law enforcement vehicles.

Richards is survived by his parents, three brothers, his wife, two children and three stepchildren.

A Neal Richards Memorial Fund has been set up to support his family. Contributions can be made at any branch of the Bank of America.