Richard Bessinger passed peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on May 3, 2018, at his home in Show Low. He is now reunited in heaven with his wife Karen. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, at The Church of Our Savior, located at 5147 Show Low Lake Road in Lakeside. Richard came into the world with a bang on the Fourth of July of 1937, in Tremonton, Utah, to Albert and Faye Bessinger. He grew up in the mountains of Utah hunting, fishing and working in the family businesses. He joined the Air Force on Sept. 17, 1957. During his years in service he met the love of his life, Karen L. Peck. They were married on Oct. 11, 1958, in Spokane, Wash. While serving in Fairbanks, Alaska, their first child, Gene was born. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force they decided to make their home in Arizona working for Southwest Forest Industries. Shortly after coming to Arizona their second child, Vicki was born. Richard worked at the paper mill in Snowflake from 1961 until his retirement in 1996. After retirement, Richard and Karen made their forever home in Show Low where they enjoyed the beauty of the White Mountains and the wildlife all in their backyard. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Bessinger and Faye Larson (Bessinger); stepfather, Dale Larson; wife, Karen Bessinger; and brothers, Clyde (Janalee) Bessinger and Max (surviving wife Mary Sue) Bessinger. He is survived by brothers, Robert (Kathy) Bessinger and Garry (Patricia) Bessinger; and many nieces and nephews. Richard’s greatest joys were his children, Vicki Bessinger and Gene Bessinger; his grandchildren, Coral Aguilera, Robert Latham and Jacqulyn (Tyson) Tucker; and great-grandchildren, Ariana Aguilera, Alycia Aguilera, Ivy Latham and Xzavier Latham.
