Galen Douglas "Doug" Richey

In Loving Memory of

Galen Douglas “Doug” Richey

July 16, 1941 ~ June 18, 2025

Our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025 with family by his side. He was 83 years old.

Doug, or “Pops” to many, was born on July 16, 1941 in Winchester, Virginia to Alve and Amelia Richey. He was raised on a tobacco farm in Valley Lee, Maryland where long hours of field labor instilled in him a tireless work ethic and the biggest, strongest hands of any man we ever knew. He graduated from Great Mills High School in 1960 and received an Associates of Arts degree from St. Mary’s Seminary in 1962.

Doug married Sharon Shelhamer in 1963 and in the seven years they were together, they had three children, Jeff, Eric and Lora. Doug remarried in 1971 to Carol Frickel and they were devoted to each other for 54 years. Carol brought four children to the union: Teri, Bonnie, Lori and Randy. In the early years of their marriage, they would load their large, blended family into a vehicle that would have been tight for four people and drive across the entire country. These “cramped” adventures are now treasured memories.

Dad found his true vocation in sales. He had the gift of gab and an authentic - genuine nature that endeared him to others. His career included stops at Boise Cascade, Floberg Realtors, multiple car dealerships, and ultimately his own company, Community Directory Company that competed directly with the Yellow Pages (back when there were phone books) in markets in Michigan, Florida and Mississippi. And sprinkled throughout his life and career was a passion for automobiles and the car business. He loved the thrill-of-the-hunt at auto auctions and helping his family, friends and himself find a “deal”. He also spent countless hours in his garage doing paint & autobody work, which included restoring old cars for his children and then re-restoring those cars after his children wrecked them.

Outside of work, Dad’s priorities were family, food, cars, and the outdoors…in that order. As a child he helped his mother bring in extra income assisting her in a catering business. As an adult, he was always in the kitchen and could never seem to prepare a meal for less than 10 people. In retirement, his love of food and people translated into a coveted booth space at the Billings Farmers Market where he branded himself the “Banana Man” selling banana bread, banana jam and canned vegetables harvested from his large garden. At work, at home, in the garage and at hunting camps, Dad was a bright light that lifted spirits with his infectious optimism, hilarious stories and an endless desire to put a spatula to work feeding people.

And no description of Doug Richey would be complete without a word on his dancing. He won dance contests as a young man in Maryland and was literally the life of any party with music. His moves on a dance floor were jaw-dropping, leaving

adults with tears from uncontrollable laughter and grandchildren yelling for more. Dad was loved deeply and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother – Tommy, sister – Bonnie, and grandson – Mike, and is survived by 7 children, 21 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. A fitting memorial would be to simply support the Billings Farmers Market, a Saturday tradition that he was proud to be part of.

The family would like to thank the staff at Yellowstone River Nursing & Rehabilitation as well as Compassus hospice for the loving care they provided.