Richard (Dick) Kearney, 83

 

Richard Franklin Kearney, 83, died Monday, December 7, 2015 at Presbyterian Senior Care, Southminster.

 

 He was born November 7, 1932 in Clarke County, Iowa, the son of the late Gilbert Ross Kearney and Edna Bernice Williams Kearney.

 

Richard served in the U.S. Army, where he received the National Defense Service Medal.

 

 Richard began his Saddlehorse career in his home state of Iowa during his high school Years. He experienced much success with Dr. E. L. Robinson in Lee’s Summit, Missouri as head trainer. Most noteworthy was his winning of the Jr. Stake in Lexington, Kentucky with Superior Odds in 1969. He was awarded “Horseman of the Year” by the Chapter 13 United Professional

 Horsemen’s Association on January 10, 1992, as well “Trainer of the Year” by American Saddlehorse Association of Ohio in 2002.

 He moved to Washington in October 1971 to pursue another training opportunity with Lakeview Farms. During the coming years, Mr. Kearney would ride Superior Odds to the Five-Gaited Stallion Champion and Five-Gaited Reserve Grand Champion.

 

 Mr. Kearney, with wife Nancy Kearney, began Kearney Farm and Stables in 1977 in Prosperity. It was here that he raised “Catalyst”, a light chestnut with flaxen mane & tail American Saddlebred that sired numerous champions throughout his standing lifetime. Here in Prosperity, Dick and Nancy enjoyed many happy years with their family, friends and grandchildren. Dick and Nancy Kearney were members of the Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church in their home town of Prosperity.

 

 On May 6, 1956 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa he married Nancy Lou Welsh, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Richard (Cheryl) Kearney of Amity, Roger Kearney of Prosperity; a daughter, Deborah (John) Songer of Cullman, AL; three sisters, Alice (Melvin) Davis of Murray, Iowa, Colleen Roush of Indiania, Iowa, Dowell Kearny of Portland, OR; seven grandchildren, Megan (Chas) Ruszczyk, Jacqueline (James) Porter, Amy Songer, Scott (Maggie) Songer, Ross Kearney, Sam Kearney and Kaylyn Kearney; two great grandchildren, Michael and Ella Porter.

 

 Deceased are a brother, Roger Kearney; three sisters, Lorrine Jensen, Lorna Jones, Marion Nesbitt.

 

 Friends will be received Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday, December 11, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of service at William G. Neal Funeral Homes, 925 Allison Ave, Washington. Burial will be held Monday, December 14, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Military Honors will be accorded by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. Additional information and guestbook are available on line at www.NealFuneralHome.com