Richard Keith Wait

Richard Keith Wait, 91, of Falmouth, KY, formerly of California, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Health Care in Edgewood. Born on October 22, 1929 in Rocklin, CA, he was a son of the late Purl and Zoah Fern Ward Wait. “Dick” was a well-known and respected logger, whose mastery of his craft kept him busy as an independent owner/operator as well as working with many California logging companies: Trinity Lumber Company, Emmett Baugh Trucking, H & H Logging Company, Bill Schmidt Equipment, George Bibbens Logging, and Earl Bibbens Logging. He was a U.S. Army veteran during the Korean War, and he was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. On October 17, 2010, he married Jerry Fay Joyner Wait, and his dear wife survives his passing. Dick was a devoted husband, father and provider, always taking care of his family. Known for his sense of humor and priceless “Grandpaisms”: “You’re drunker than a wooden watch.”; “I am mildewing.”; “I’m busier than a one-armed cranberry merchant.”; and “By thee Gods of War”; we will smile when we remember. Dick loved to spend time with family and friends. As long as he was in California, he looked forward to seeing the Shasta High School Tuesday “Lunch Bunch,” and Friday nights were not complete without his standing cocktail hour with Jerry. Dick made the most of every day. He was proud of being a veteran and very proud of his children and grandchildren who followed in his footsteps to serve. Anderson Union High School was surely happy when the last of those “Wait” kids cycled through their halls. At the end of the day, when any of his children were hurt or sad, he would say, “Are you alright?” and “Did you learn something?” In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years and the mother of all of his children, Mary Ellen Ferrell Wait on April 17, 2006; his son, Richard Roche Wait (1954) and his five siblings: Louise Gertrude Wait Gillispie, James Turner Wait, Purl Raymond Wait, Robert Lester Wait, and Jack Wait. He is survived by his wife Jerry Fay Wait of Falmouth, KY; his children: Robert Keith Wait (Linda) of Santa Rosa, CA, Daniel Scott Wait (Judy) of Redding, CA, Mary Jane Wait Dowell of Cottonwood, CA, Joseph Leigh Wait ( Philis) of Falmouth, KY, Edward Alan Wait (Robin) of Red Bluff, CA, Linda Ruth Wait Foster (Troy) of Indiana, PA, Trecia Whitehurst of Nashville, TN; and Janet Hernandez (Rudy) of Anderson, CA; 15 grandchildren: Zoah, Danny Jr., Christina, Derek, Merri, Joey, Richard, Jacob, Erin, Kyle, Lacy, Holly, Jarrett, Brady, and Raquel; 19 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family and friends. Services will be held when he is entombed at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, CA. Woodhead Funeral Home, Falmouth, is taking care of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Northern California Veterans Cemetery: P.O. Box 76, 11800 Gas Point Road, Igo, CA 96047.

Richard Keith Wait

October 22, 1929 - January 14, 2021