BEST, Richard

Published in The Arizona Republic from Mar. 9 to Mar. 14, 2021 - Phoenix, Arizona >> Richard Best << >> September 21, 1926 - January 13th, 2021 << An Arizona native, Richard was born in Mesa, AZ. He grew up on his family's farm in Tolleson, AZ and graduated from Tolleson High in 1944. After high school, Richard enrolled at the University of Arizona on an athletic scholarship, but left school before graduating to enlist in the U.S. Navy Air Corp during World War II. After his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Richard returned to Arizona where he met his future bride, Alice Douglas. Richard and Alice were married on November 22, 1947. They had two daughters, Shelley and Ricki. He worked as a mechanic for more than 40 years and retired from the "International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker", IBEW in 1989. In retirement, Richard enjoyed spending time with his family and golfing with friends. Richard and his wife Alice were married for 72 years before her death in 2019. He is survived by daughters, Shelley Mann and Ricki Johnson (Darrell) and two grandsons, Brandon and Brett Bolen. The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for their comfort during the last hours of Richard's life, and Richard's neighbors, Daryl & Laurell Chipman, Joe & Michelle Granado, Romero & Lupe Bautista, and Rudy Figueroa for their friendship and loving support. You will be missed immensely by your family and friends and your love never forgotten. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.