Richard E. Scarff

Richard E. Scarff

Richard E. Scarff, 84, of Kirksville passed away Friday, May 11, 2012, at the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, MO.

Richard was born March 4, 1928 in Washington, D.C. On May 30, 1960 in Kirksville he was united in marriage to Mary C. Dromey who survives.

He was placed in an orphanage at an early age. From the orphanage he went to Kansas City, MO to live with a family as a companion for their son. After living there he moved to the Ozarks to work for his board and room. At the age of 15 he moved to the East Coast to work on a sea going ship. Later Richard joined the Merchant Marines and ended up carrying ammunition in the last years of World War II. For a few years he worked for Bethlehem Steel. On June 7, 1952 he came to Missouri and began farming. Several years later he began raising registered Polled Hereford cattle of which he was very proud.

Richard always said “ he was born in the twenties when the stock market fell, grew up in the thirties when the great depression hit, went to war in the forties, started farming in the fifties and got married in the 60’s”. He also said “I did pretty well in the 70’s and 80’s and when the 90’s hit I started going down hill”.

Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Darrell Draper and Reverend Robert Shobe officiating.

Honorary Pallbearers will be David Poston, Kenny Crandall, Tom Story, Randy James, Rex Osborn, Cody James, Ryan Crandall, Dr. Mike Early and Earl Gleason.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501.

The family has suggested memorial to the Salvation Army or the Adair County Humane Society.