Richard William Voran

Richard 'Rich' William Voran 

Obituary

 Richard "Rich" William Voran, 68, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 19, 2014, near Deadhorse, Alaska.

Richard was born on Sept. 4, 1945, the son of Willie and Amanda Voran in Hesston.

He was married to Kathleen Marie Harris on June 9, 1968. Richard and Kathy came to Alaska and served the Lord with InterAct Ministries (formerly Arctic Missions) in 1973. He worked in maintenance at Arctic Bible Institute. Using his skills in computer programming, he also developed multiple finance management programs for various non-profit organizations throughout the state.

Serving was his theme in life. He served on the church board and behind the scenes in many ways at Lazy Mountain Bible Church. He also served for a time as the Alaska field finance director for InterAct Ministries. After retiring from the mission, he continued to work for Cruz Construction as a heavy haul truck driver. He enjoyed investing time in his children and grandchildren, working on projects, building furniture and toys, landscape gardening, and nature.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Voran; children, Parrin and Sharon Voran of Fox, Alaska, Carlon and Brandey Voran of Port Alsworth, Alaska, Theron Voran of Boulder, Colo.; and six grandchildren, Keanu, Dakota, Austina, Coleson, Malea and Alianna. He also is survived by his sisters and their spouses, Joyce and Edward Dalke, Carolyn and Howard Wohlgemuth of Hesston, and Betty and Alvin Smucker of Okemos, Mich.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and infant son, Shaylan.

A memorial service was held Monday evening, Jan. 27, at Lazy Mountain Bible Church in Palmer, Alaska.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to the "Richard Voran Memorial Fund" at Wells Fargo.

Published in The Kansan from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2014