Richard "Gunny" Saindon, Jr.
Marriages
Jeroldine Shipman - June 15, 1974
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D - May 6, 2012
Richard "Gunny" Saindon, Jr.
passed away unexpectedly at his
Grand Junction home on May 1,
2012. Richard died peacefully in
his sleep.
Richard was born on June 5,
1954 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
to Richard Sr. and Clara
(Hall) Saindon. He spent his childhood in Arvada, graduating from
Westminister High School. There, he met the love of his life, Jeroldine
(Jeri) Shipman. Following graduation, Richard joined the
United States Marine Corps in 1972 where he was deployed to Vietnam
and served proudly until 1976. He and Jeri married in Arvada
on June 15, 1974, while he was home on leave. He was a devoted
and loving father to daughter Alexa, born in 1983, and daughter Rietta,
born in 1984. Richard joined the United States Army in 1986,
earning several awards including a Good Conduct Medal, a Certificate
of Commendation and a National Defense Service Medal. In the
Army, he dedicated his service to his country for an additional 11
years and remained a proud American until his death.
Richard and his family lived in Oak Creek, Colorado before moving
to Grand Junction where they have lived for 28 years. During
this time, Richard owned and operated Leatherneck Heavyhaul-a
name reflecting his USMC pride and his dedication to his
family-and was meticulous about his business. When he wasn't
driving truck, Richard developed a love for collecting military mementos,
snow skiing, water skiing, baseball, racing, and sports, and
dedicated his free time to enjoying these with his family. A devoted
husband, Richard truly was a manly man, with a soft spot in his
heart committed to his daughters, and enjoyed the antics of his dogs
Rikka and Dayze, and grand dog Xerxes.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, and family pets,
Duke, Zeke, Char, Lyani, Rocker and Dakota. He is survived by his
loving wife of 38 years, Jeri; daughters, Alexa (Jason) Holdorf of
Grand Junction, and Rietta Saindon of Denver; his mother, Clara
Saindon-Rogers and husband, Bill of Grand Junction; two sisters,
Barbara (Jim) Salanky of Flower Mound, TX; Chris (Dennis)
Hensen of Denver; several nieces and nephews, and many loyal
friends across the US. He will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Gunny's life will be held at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday,
May 9, 2012, at Martin Mortuary. A committal service with
military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, at the Veterans
Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside
Parkway, Grand Junction, CO 81501.
C o n d o l e n c e s m a y b e l e f t f o r t h e f a m i l y a t
www.martinmortuary.com.
