Richard (Dick) Edison Morkert passed away on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nev., due to complications from a vehicle accident on Sept. 18, 2017. Dick was on his way to scout out his new hunting area in Arizona and do some fishing when the accident happened.

Dick was born in Polson, Mont., on April 13, 1939, to Edison and Marjorie Morkert. Dick attended school in Plains and Thompson Falls, Mont., and was a class of 1958 Thompson Falls High School graduate.

Growing up in Montana, fishing and hunting were his favorite things in life. Living in Snider during high school, you could always find him fishing the Thompson River – especially during the May salmon fly hatch.

After high school, Dick worked construction as a mechanic and master mechanic for Peter Kiewit Sons' Co. He was one of the first people sent to the Trans-Alaska pipeline, working on this project from its start to finish. After completion of the pipeline, he moved to Moose Creek, Alaska, where he purchased Al's Texaco, and then to Nome for more construction work. Dick was a long-time resident of Fairbanks, Alaska, working construction projects throughout the state.

His love for Montana brought him back to Fortine for retirement in 1988 to do his two favorite things: hunting and fishing. Then moving to Lake Havasu, City, Ariz., in 2010, where he continued to pursue his love of fishing in Mexico, Texas and Florida. During this time, he was involved in charity work with Anglers United, building and installing fish habitat in Lake Havasu City and keeping their equipment operating.

Dick was always the life of the party at all family gatherings. He was famous for his bear hugs and if there was a water fight to be had, he was in the middle of it. Even if you were fishing in the boat next to him, watch out for the bucket of water coming your way. His sense of humor and love of family and friends was his trademark.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Edison and Marjorie Morkert, and his son Richard E. Morkert Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carrie Sturgeon Morkert; his stepsons Steve (Terri) Perkins of Fairbanks and Mike Surgeon of Wilder, Idaho; brothers Jim (Maureen) Morkert of Trout Creek, Mont., Pete (Kim) Morkert of Thompson Falls, Mont., Howard (Liz) Morkert of Trout Creek, Mont.; sister Carol (Bob) Pedley of Thompson Falls, Mont.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.