Richard Joy Obituary

Richard Paul Joy was born May 16, 1942 to Ray Stanley and Viola Joy in Conception Junction, Missouri. He was the middle of seven boys. Richard married his wife of 64 years Sharon Pierce from Darlington, Missouri on May 20, 1961 in Stanberry, Missouri. They had two boys Brian Paul and Johnny Wayne. Richard worked as a Railroad engineer for 35 years and retired from the Nortfolk and Southern Railroad in 1998. He celebrated 50 years of sobriety this year and continued to be a mentor for AA groups throughout his life.
Richard was an avid sportsmen's and shared his passion as an outdoorsmen with his grandfather Earl, his father Stanley, and brothers in his early life and continued that passion with his son John and granddaughter Nicole. He was an avid collector of antique duck decoys. In earlier years, he raised Walker Fox hounds and was well known throughout Northwest Missouri for coyote hunts and shows. He looked forward each fall to sitting on the ridge of the farm watching for deer and the start of the hunting season. He loved the outdoors and a good camp fire. Richard loved the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. He looked forward to the winters, snow and a good fire in the fireplace. In retirement, football season, deer season and holidays were the highlights of his year. He loved being surrounded by his family. He, like the whole Joy family was a story teller and had a great sense of humor, he would often share stories of growing up, hunting trips and days spent at brother Ronnie's Radiator shop and brother Gary's cabin.
Richard is survived by his wife Sharon of the home and his sons Brian Joy of Lawson MO and John Joy of Lawson MO. Granddaughter Nicole (Joy) Misel and her husband Dylan of Kearney MO, two great granddaughters, and grandson Tyler Joy of Kansas City and brother Mark Joy of Jamestown ND.
Richard was proceeded in death by his parents Ray Stanley and Viola Joy, brothers Brigadier General Jim Joy, Jerry Joy, Ronnie Joy, Gary Joy, and Dwight Joy.