Richard Allen Kylmala

Richard Allen Kylmala, 77 of Kilgore, TX passed away at his home on July 5, 2023. Richard was born in
Duluth, MN on January 8, 1946, to Alice Hayden and Reino Kylmala.
Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964 and proudly served on the USS Hancock, USS Marias and the
USS Haleakala as a 1 st class Radioman and Recruiter-In-Charge where he earned The Gallantry Cross
(Vietnam), the Vietnam Service Medal and was a 6-time Gold Wreath Recipient. He married Katsuko
Tokano in 1970 and had his first daughter Susan. In 1974 he met his current wife Judy Page while both
were serving in the Navy as Radiomen on Guam Naval Base. Rick and Judy married in Godfrey, IL. on
Dec. 20, 1975. Judy and Rick had two daughters Stefanie and Sharee. Richard retired after 20 years of
service in 1984 and the family moved to Embarrass, MN where they raised their three girls. In 2000
Richard and Judy relocated to Kilgore, TX to live near longtime Navy friends Nancy and John Paul Jones.
Richard was a former shovel operator at LTV Steel Mining in Aurora, MN, and the Chief Operating Officer
for Tutle & Tutle, Inc. in Kilgore TX., after retiring he became the President, Director, and General
Manager of the Overton Golf Association in Overton, TX.
Richard was active serving as a little league coach, pit crew for Econo rail dragsters and excelled in
bowling even earning two perfect 300 games. Richard’s passion was GOLF! At the age of 12, he was
introduced to the game as a caddy and the golf course became his home and sanctuary earning him two
holes in one. He is now playing on the heavenly links.
Richard is survived by his wife of 47 years Judy (Page), three daughters Susan (Paul) Bremer, Stefanie
(Mitch) Nelson, Sharee (Max) Arends. Siblings Terry (Doris) Kylmala, Michael (Connie) Kylmala, Nancy
(Joe) Skerjance and Laura Ann (John) Halvorson. Grandchildren Naomi, Paige, Addison, Erin, Aubrey and
Emma, longtime friend Nancy Jones and the loved ones on the “Hill”. He was preceded in death by his
father Reino, his mother Alice, and sisters Gail and Susan.
The family would like to thank Dr. Koya and the staff at Texas Oncology, the wonderful nurses at Heartsway
Health of NE Texas for the care they provided, Overton Golf Association and its members, Overton City
Council, Max Arends III, and the Louisiana District 12 Honor Guard.
Memorial Service with military honors will be held at Overton Municipal Golf Course on August 15, 2023
at 10 a.m.
As Rick would say, “Keep the shiny side up “and “Every dark cloud has a silver lining.”
Fair winds and following seas shipmate, we have the watch, you stand relieved.

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