Richard Locke

Richard C. “Dick” Locke, Jr., 69, died at his home in Billings, Montana on September 2, 2022, while preparing for a day full of activities with friends. An upbeat person at heart, he was ever outgoing and sociable, often beginning a conversation with, “Hi, . . . I'm a Dick,” and everyone would laugh.

Locke was born on December 29, 1952, in the District of Winwick, County of Lancaster, Bartonwood U.S. Air Force Base, England, to Airman Richard C. Locke, and Virginia (Folland) Locke, while his father was stationed in England during the Korean conflict.

Dick's interests were as varied as the rivers that flow across our continent. As a boy in Fenton, Michigan, he loved cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and anything with a motor. He enjoyed tinkering with nearly everything in the garage.

Dick graduated high school in Fenton, Michigan, in 1968. There he excelled as a football player, a wrestler, and as a student. He was offered a four-year, full ride scholarship to the University of Michigan football program. The wrestling program wanted him, too. He declined both in favor of moving out West with his family.

Dick attended Northwest College, Powell, Wyoming and earned a 3.0 grade average, enjoying the field of welding and taking all the courses that NWC offered.

He continued with this passion, fabricating projects with steel, and fiber glassing small structures for himself and his 4-wheeler friends. Whether he was building a sand rail, a swamp buggy or a rock hopper, Dick thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of running or racing something. He also loved to ski, joining the National Ski Patrol after turning 15 and continued this for many years.

Dick's major career was dedicated to Halliburton Energy, Inc., working in the oil field services industry. He traveled all over the Northwest and Alaska for years with Halliburton and was happy to have had the experiences and numerous friendships that it brought.

Dick completed a computer electronics course in repair and maintenance and worked in this field out of his home for many years and he was often seen with his head and mind in his work, on his bench or at the kitchen table.

With a large ability to fix things, Dick had quality advice for every mechanical problem, every electric issue and almost all computer fixes.

Throughout his time living in Powell and Billings, Dick was a friend and source of encouragement to innumerable folks who came for an appointment, came by to chat or happened by his home with the referral of an acquaintance.

During his later years Dick joined the Masonic Lodge and eventually the Shriners Local Al Bedoo Chapter, and took part in several events, to his thorough enjoyment and the benefit of our local community.

The last professional job Dick had was at ACE Hardware in Billings. He thoroughly enjoyed his work at ACE, from his supervisor all the way down to the cashiers, and often talked about his shift work, saying how much he appreciated the way they “treated the old Dick.” He would help all who came in with questions, with humor, with depth of knowledge and a sincere desire to help others.

Locke was preceded in death by his father, Richard C. Locke, Sr., his stepmother, Jacqueline J. Locke, formerly of Cody, Wyoming, and his birth mother Virginia Locke. Dick leaves behind his three children: April (Mike) Price, Rusty Locke, and Linda (Brent) Metzer; his sister, Joan Leiker; his brother, Bert (Jalane) Locke; and many other extended family and friends.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. A private Celebration of Life for Dick will be held later, TBD.