Richard Flynn Udall

Richard Flynn Udall was born April 8th, 1970, to parents Flynn and Katy Udall. The second of six children, he spent his youth in Taylor, Az where he and his siblings had a carefree childhood and enjoyed the freedom of spending most of their time outside where he developed a lifelong love of nature and animals. As he grew, his parents fostered in him a deep love of this country which resulted in his attentive and caring stewardship of the natural world surrounding him.  He loved riding motorcycles and horses and camping far off the beaten path and away from the fast pace and stress of city life. 

At the age of 12, his father’s employment took the family to Kirtland, NM where Richard attended middle school and graduated from high school. It was there in Kirtland where he played football, hunted, and fished and formed many of his lifelong friendships. With a bit of a rowdy streak and some bad luck in the mix Richard endured his fair share of mishaps and injuries and seemed unbreakable as he managed to always keep on moving and working without complaint.

After high school he made the decision to serve an LDS mission and was called to serve in the Eugene, OR mission.  After returning home, he moved to Tempe, Az and began developing many of the skills that he would come to master in his professional life including plumbing, welding, heavy equipment operating and landscaping. He was known not only for his skill in these areas and unrivaled work ethic, but also for a commitment to excellence in any task he took on.  After several years in the valley he moved to Las Vegas, NV to help support his brothers with their new construction company and spent his later years living in Taylor serving his community and caring for his parents.

Richard was also well known for possessing many of the traits we all strive for, patience, deep kindness, a wicked sense of humor, and an unmatched ability for unconditional love. Most notably Richard was a devoted and loyal son, a supportive and loving brother, and the most adored Uncle of the bunch. His relationship with his nieces and nephews in particular were special and precious and the source of some of his life’s greatest joys. Though he was a quiet man and small in physical stature, he had an unmistakable presence that will be sorely missed. 

He passed from this life Saturday June 24th, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father Flynn Udall and is survived by his mother Katy Udall and siblings Carolyn Heslop, Ryan Udall, Ck Udall, Steve Udall and Kathy Udall in addition to 20 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews. He will be laid to rest near the family home in Luna, NM.