Richard James Urie

Richard James Urie, 80, of Livingston, Montana, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015 at his home with his family by his side. A celebration of Richards life will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, June 12, at the Holbrook United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. A Fellowship Luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be at the Andersonville Cemetery, in West Glover, Vermont at a later date. Memorials are preferred to: Park County Senior Center, 206 S Main St, Livingston, MT 59047. Richard was born on March 31, 1935, in Albany, Vermont. He was the son of Leslie and Isabel (Anderson) Urie of Bonnie View Farm. He graduated from Craftsbury Academy and then, earned a degree in Agronomy from the University of Vermont. After college Richard worked for the Soil Conservation Service until he was drafted in 1958. Richard served two years in the United States Army stationed in Germany. Upon his discharge from the US Army Richard returned to Bonnie View Farm to work with his father. In December, 1965 Richard and Ellen were married at the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church and Ellen joined him at Bonnie View Farm. Richard and Ellen enjoyed 29 years raising a family and farming together. Richard took great pride in the stewardship of the farm lands and improving their productivity. Richard also spent many hours teasing and playing with his four children, Wendi, Barb, Kelly and Dan and was well know for his sense of humor and enjoyment of a practical joke. Our 'city cousins' and friends with summer homes all loved to visit the farm and to be part of the fun Richard created. Richard and Ellen retired from farming in 1994, traveled the country for a full year, and then settled in Asheville, North Carolina where they lived for eight years. In 2003 they relocated to Livingston, Montana to be closer to their daughters. Richard was immediately fascinated by western farming and ranching, and especially irrigation. For a Vermont farmer the idea of not having enough water was completely foreign! Richard was also drawn to the mountain landscape and enjoyed hikes, bicycle rides and snowshoe outings with his daughters and grandchildren. Richard is survived by his wife Ellen, his favorite daughters Barb (Jim Marshall), Kelly Elder and Wendi (Mike Cimonetti), siblings Ellen Jane (Wes McGrew), Arthur and Paul(Sue), and his five grandchildren Marissa, Jack, Abby, Hazen and Caroline. Richard is preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Isabel, his son Dan and brother Andrew. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.