Louis "Richard" Hazell
August 12, 1940 ~ December 21, 2024
Louis Richard Hazell, “Richard”, was called home by our heavenly Father Saturday, December 21, 2024. Richard passed peacefully at home in his sleep with his wife, Pati, and his son Dick present. Richard is joyfully reunited in heaven with family, friends, and pets. He will be missed by family, friends and pets here on earth. He was born at home August 12, 1940, in Columbia, Missouri to Fred Leon Hazell and Evelyn Grace Slaasted Hazell. They relocated to Wichita, Kansas when Richard was a young boy.
Richard is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patsy “Pati” Huber Hazell, son Richard, Jr. (Delnita), daughter Michelle Barnett, son Jerry Hazell, stepson Steve Thomas (Debbie), and cousin Sue Wyatt. Grandchildren Leah Guthrie (Shane), Steve Hazell (Ashleigh), Daniel Morrison (Britta), Matthew Morrison, Sarah Barnett, Chelsea Teter (Joe) and Tyler Hazell. Great Grandchildren Brecken, Emmersen, Kanyon, Eian, Jude and Josie Guthrie, Hannah and Knox Hazell, Braxton and Ashlyn Teter, Harrison Hazell, and many cherished friends, pets Finnegan and Hanna.
Richard attended Wichita schools and graduated from Wichita North High in 1958. He began his working career working in the trucking business as a clerk and later became a “trucker” for the Teamster’s Union working for several truck lines. When he retired from trucking Richard went to work for the city of Wichita. His career with the Wichita Police Department began as a clerk in Records and ended as a Non-Commissioned Service Officer in 2012 when he retired.
Throughout his life Richard was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Kansas Avicultural Society where he also served as president, Regional Vice President of American Federation of Aviculture, Co-editor with his wife Pati of the newsletter for St. James Episcopal Church and the Ks. Avicultural Society. He served as a lay-reader and chalice bearer at St. James and was a Stephen Minister there. He appeared before Congress in Topeka and in Washington, D.C. to assist with forming regulations and laws concerning the keeping of exotic parrots and other birds as pets and breeding programs for endangered bird species. He also assisted Pati in breeding and hand raising parrots. He was a member of Abate Motorcycle Club of Kansas and the HOG Motorcycle Club. He organized several motorcycle rides to raise donations for MDA. He also served on the local MDA Board.
Richard loved the Lord and was always ready to talk to anyone about the Lord. He loved his family and his friends fiercely as well as the many dogs and birds that came into his life.
Service for Richard will be: Viewing at Downing and Lahey West on West Maple in Wichita on Thursday, January 2, 2024 all day; family will not be present. January 3, 2024, Country Acres Baptist Church on N. Tyler at 1:00. There will be a visitation with the family before the service.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Ste300, Jacksonville, Fl. 32256 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org, and Paws of Honor, 1158 Professional Dr., Ste G, Williamsburg, Va. 23185 or at www.pawsofhonor.org PLEASE be sure to indicate that this is a contribution made in Richard's name: L. Richard Hazell.
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I was in despair at a very depressing and transformative time in my life, Richard was my good friend. He spent time with me and encouraged me. He spiritually took me by the hand and helped me get through it. I came out on the other side much better than I went in. Richard was my brother, he always called me that. I loved him.
My most heartfelt condolences to his wife Pati and his entire family.