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Show Floyd Richards Turns 90; Still "Mr. Sports" In Town PANGUITCH Floyd Richards, Panguitch was honored on the occasion of his 90th birthday with an open house Sat., Feb. 3 at the Panguitch SecondThird Ward Chapel by loving family and friends. Floyd was born Feb. 2, 1906, the third of seven brothers and sisters, all of whom have preceded him in death, to Edward and Sarah Richards. At 90 his memory is still keen and he is often called upon to recite local history and facts. He can remember many Panguitch events such as the first car in town, owned by Newton Barney, who won it from Sears and Roebuck probably around 1912-1916. He says when drivers licenses were first issued you could buy one for 250. He recalls hearing the men talk of Panguitch as having as many as 38 sheep herds in the nearby area not long after that time the herds moved in circles wherever there was feed, with no Forest Service or BLM to govern them. He and his father made many of the old red brick used to build homes in Panguitch, including the brick for the old North Ward Chapel. Making brick was only one of the many jobs Floyd has held through the years along with farming, road construction. Forest Service, oil rigs, CCC's (building the bridge over Hell's Backbone) and with Kaibab Industries. He retired from Kaibab in 1975 at age 69, after 22 years. Floyd attended the University of Utah in 1927 and 1928, until his father died and the depression hit. He was drafted into the Army in 1942 at age 36 and served 3 12 years during World War II with 2 Floyd Richards 12 of those years in the South Pacific. An avid reader, he has read the newspaper as long as he can remember, as well as novels and periodicals. He can relate eras of various political figures since he first registered to vote in 1928 and has voted in every election since. With a deep interest in sports even today, Floyd can recall all teams and members in major league baseball, basketball and football and the championships, as well as local teams and championship wins. For 89 years Floyd enjoyed excellent health and as late as his mid-80's hauled his own firewood in from the mountains. Floyd attributes his longevity to remaining single all his life. Interestingly, of the 22 members of his 192425 graduating class, six have lived to be 90, with at least four still living. Their class motto was "Clean thoughts Clean actions Clean living" seems to have held true. |