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Richard A. Walkup, Jr., 75, of Pioneer passed away early Monday morning, January 17, 2022 at Community Hospitals and Wellness Center in Montpelier. He was born on January 3, 1947 in Bryan to Richard and Mildred (Cook) Walkup, Sr. Richard attended North Central High School. He served his country during Vietnam in the United States Army as an MP, and was in the infantry doing reconnaissance.
Richard was a member of South Woodbridge Pentecostal Church in Camden, Michigan, the Pioneer American Legion and Pioneer VFW. He worked at the Montpelier Airport from 1973-1980, where he was a glider instructor and did aviation maintenance, he continued to fly single engine prop planes until 2021. Richard retired as a machine fabricator from Dana Corp. in Angola. He was a former Boy Scout Troop Leader in Pioneer. Richard also enjoyed prospecting out West.
He is survived by his wife of one year, Rachashael (Gates) Walkup; children Rueben (Cherie) Walkup of Corvallis, Montana, Sally (Paul) Paepke of Edon and Edward (Michelle) Walkup of Montpelier; eleven grandchildren, Alyssa Snyder, Kim Walkup, Reed Walkup, Sam Walkup, Andrea Aquino, Brandon Belknap, Sanyja Paepke, Jo Paepke, Gunner Stump, Garrett Stump and Cecilia Paepke; seven great grandchildren; brother Robert (Stacey) Walkup of Pioneer; and sister Linda Kidston of Pioneer.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 43 years Thelma (Pollay) Walkup, wife of 2 years Janice (Kaizer) Walkup and brother-in-law Robert Kidston.
Visitation for Richard will be on Thursday, January 20th from 3-8pm at the Thompson Funeral Home in Pioneer. Services will be on Friday at 11am at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Hibbard and Pastor Chris Hibbard to officiate. Interment will follow at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer with Military Rites provided by the Pioneer Veterans. Memorial contributions may be given to South Woodbridge Pentecostal Church.