Richard Norman Caraway, 73, of Coldwater and a former resident of Lansing, Kansas, died Feb. 4, 2014 at Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS. He was born on June 9, 1940 in Coffeyville, KS. His parents were George Kenneth Caraway and Gladys Bridges Caraway. Richard had one brother Kenneth Lee Caraway.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Richard lived in Coffeyville through his grade school and junior high years then moved with his parents to Lansing, Kansas where he attended High School, graduating with the class of 1958. He really enjoyed his High School days.
Richard then attended Emporia State University where he met his wife Darlene Emerson and they were married on July 16, 1961 in Coldwater at the Coldwater United Methodist Church by a special friend Rev. Harvey Doud, pastor of the Lansing Methodist Church,
They raised their two children in Lansing a son Kirk and daughter Gaye. He enjoyed his children very much, He worked with Kirk in Boy Scouts and attended other activities they were involved in. He shared his love of computers with his daughter Gaye as she grew up and if you shopped with them you were sure to stop at a computer store first even if it was across town.
There was always a summer family vacation in the works and the kids got to explore other parts of the United States or just go to Grandma and Grandpa's in Coldwater.
Richard was employed at Hallmark Cards ( Select Products Division ) in Leavenworth for 25 years, starting out as a press operator and worked his way up to Production Manager. He traveled extensively overseas purchasing printing presses and other equipment for Hallmark. He also set up an Ink operation at Hallmark so they could make most of their own ink. The project started by using Darlene's blender.
While working at Hallmark Richard and Darlene owned and operated the Lansing Leader Newspaper. Richard helped with it when he finished work and did a lot of photography.
In his spare time he learned how to run small printing presses and started a part time business and opened Caraway Printing full time after leaving Hallmark. Richard and his wife ran Caraway Printing for many years.
Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing. The deer hunting trips to Wyoming were very special. He liked to come to Coldwater to hunt with Kirk.
He was a past master and member of Comanche Lodge 295, Coldwater, past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, past Watchman of Shepherds of Rosarium Shrine in Leavenworth, and was involved in other Masonic affiliated organizations. He was also a member of Lansing Kiwanis Club.
Richard retired in 1993 and they moved to Coldwater to make their home and take life a little easier.
He was a member of the Coldwater United Methodist Church where he was instrumental in setting up the video system. He enjoyed helping with pancake suppers. He also was in charge of the election board and was a supervisor on the Coldwater Conservation Board, and was the Comanche County Emergency Preparedness Director. He also liked to cook for Masonic events and helped with the Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinners for many years.
His other favorite thing was having coffee with the guys and just sitting on his porch swing.
He simply liked living in Coldwater and liked to go to the farm and check things out.
He was a proud grandfather. The trips to Carson City, NV to see granddaughter Mira were special and going to Kansas City to play with grandson Lukas was always fun. He also liked spending time with his step-grandson Josh.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years Darlene, Son Kirk Caraway and his wife Tracy of Carson City, NV, daughter Gaye Hattem and son-in-law Tom Hattem of Kansas City, Mo, granddaughter Mira Caraway, Carson City, NV, grandson Lukas Hattem, Kansas City, MO, grandson, Josh Hattem of Derby, KS and brother Kenneth Caraway, Sun City, AZ and nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Service is at 2 pm , Wed February 12, at the Coldwater United Methodist Church in Coldwater with Rev Gary Merritt and Rev Greg Marlow presiding. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater.
Memorials may be sent to the Comanche County Hospital or Lansing Historical Society
In care of Hatfield Prusa Funeral Home, PO Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.