Richard Neils Everson

Richard Neils Everson, “Rich,” was born in Rexburg, Idaho on 13 May 1933, and passed away 5 January 2024 in Jerome, Idaho.  He was the fifth and youngest child of Axel Lorenzo and Verna M Everson. During childhood, he moved with his family to Shelley, Idaho, where he grew up and attended school.  He was active in sports playing high school basketball and football. 

He met Delores M Burkey during their senior year of high school and they were married after graduation on 11 July 1952. They had six children:  Chrisie R (Laird) Jenkins, Richard L (Rose Ann) Everson, James J Everson, Robert R (Larae) Everson, David N (Wendy) Everson, and Jon C (Kathleen) Everson.

Richard attended college first at the University of Idaho and completed a BS degree in Pharmacy at Idaho State University in 1957. The family moved to Vernal, Utah where he practiced pharmacy for one year and then to Jerome, Idaho where he has lived ever since. He started as a pharmacist at Thriftyway Drug and was promoted to manager a year later.  He remained the manager when it changed to Hamilton Drug, and when that closed, he became a co-owner of R&R pharmacy with Robin Kinsey, where he worked until he retired.

He served as Stake President of the Gooding Idaho Stake for 13 years, Stake Patriarch, Scout Master, Home Teacher/Ministering Brother, and was a faithful and loving husband and father.  He and Delores served missions in the New York New York South Mission and at the Twin Falls Employment Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was active in community affairs serving in the Jerome Jaycees in his younger years and was a member of the Jerome Chamber of Commerce and the St Benedict’s Hospital Board.  He loved serving others, and felt his day was complete if he could say something that would make even one person smile.

He loved spending time with family members, camping at Alturas Lake in his younger years, working in his yard, and tending his raspberry patch.

Rich is survived by his six children and their companions, 28 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, 4 nieces, and 1 nephew.

A viewing will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Friday, January 12, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jerome Stake Center, 26 N Tiger Dr. Jerome. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 13, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jerome Stake Center. Grave dedication will conclude at Jerome Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Rich’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.