Obituary of Richard Boots

Richard “Dick” Martin Boots, 81, of Moberly, Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and went to his Lord on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Valley View Health and Rehabilitation in Moberly, Missouri.

 Boots was born on August 23, 1939 in Moberly, Missouri to Ralph Boots and Gertrude Thelma Barnett Boots. He was baptized at West Park Methodist Church. He began his first job at age 13, when he went and began working for several local business, such as Temple Stevens Grocery Store, Camp Men’s Wear, Cloch Shoe Store and Duval and Reid for over two years. He graduated from Moberly Senior High School in 1957. In 1958, Dick earned the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of America, and became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Moberly Junior College in 1959 with a General Education Diploma.  

Dick then went to work for Norfolk & Western from 1962 through 1980, in between honorably serving his country in the National Guard from October 8, 1963 until June 2, 1965 as a Private First Class and an Expert Rifle. From 1966 until 1971, Boots would operate the Lewis and Clark Keelboat at the Boone Cave in Rocheport, Missouri. He bought Westlake Hardware on Coates Street and on March 1, 1980, he opened his own local business, Dick’s Sporting Goods. In 1981, he moved to old Conner’s Sporting Goods till December 2000. He managed and operated his store for the next twenty years, where normal customers turned into lifelong friends. He was asked by the Missouri Department of Conservation to operate a deer check station from 1986 until 2000. In 1990, Boots was awarded with the title of Gun Dealer of the Year. He also won the Dale Carnegie Speech Award.

Dick married Patty Louise Coureton on October 11, 1969 in Moberly, Missouri. In 1970, he kept himself very busy leasing out goose hunting blinds at Swan Lake to hunters from all over the state, from Kansas City to St. Louis for over 20 years. Throughout 1972, Dick owned W&D Imports and sold Onyx to the caves and businesses.

Boots was an amazing man with a desire to help improve his community in any and all ways that he could. He was on the Moberly Park Board from 1991 until 2000. He was a Councilman for the City of Moberly from April 2001 through 2012. Dick was a member of the Lions Club, the Boy Scouts of America and the Eagle Scout Board of Review. He was also on the National Alliance of Stocking Gun Dealers. Boots was also a member of the Missouri Cave Association and the Salvation Army Board.

Dick always loved when he could get some time away to go hunting and fishing. One of his favorite hobbies was tending to the family farm. He enjoyed collecting things from his travels, and would then build displays for the items he had acquired. Dick was a man of many talents. He enjoyed woodworking, photography and the sense of sense of pride that came with the manual labor of tending to his farm that he cared to deeply for.

When anyone thinks of Boots, the first thing they think of is his infectious smile. He always was concerned with kindness and fulfilling the ability to help others in need. Dick’s family says that he always liked meeting people and that he never met a stranger. He always had a good story or two to tell. He lived life to the fullest and had ample knowledge to pass onto others. He was also a bit of a prankster. Boots will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Gertrude; brother, James R. Boots; sister, Emma Louise Boots; paternal and maternal grandparents.

Survivors include his wife, Patty Boots of Moberly, Missouri; son, Ralph Martin Boots, EDFP, of Liberty, Missouri; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; nephews, Randy and Rodney Boots of Moberly, Missouri; several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and close friends. Patty would also like to send out a special thanks to the local Amish Community that grew to be like family over the years to Boots. She thanks you for your time spent with him, and for all of the patience they demonstrated listening to all of Dick’s stories. They all hold a very special place in his heart.

A gathering of family and friends, celebrating Richard Martin Boots’ will be held Wednesday, November 25, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Moberly Friends of the Park 200 N Clark Street Moberly MO. 65270. 

Pathway Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.