Richard (Dick) Fuller died March 9, 2025, at the age of 96. He was born December 19, 1928. Dick lived at Brookdale Retirement Home in Murray, where he passed away in his sleep. Dick is survived by his two children Jeff Fuller (Gwyn Smith) of Alameda, CA and Claire Fuller (George Kipphut) of Murray, KY, his two grandchildren, Niko Sikkel of Nashville and Aaron Sikkel of Bowling Green and a cousin, Perry Berke of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Joanne (Wolfberg) Fuller, who died just over a month earlier.
Dick was born in Chicago Illinois and met his Joanne there while on a double blind date. As he used to tell it, they were actually not with each other on that date, but he took one look at Joanne and knew he wanted to marry her. They were married three months later. They lived in Chicago for a few years, where their children were born.
Dick had a business opportunity in Grand Rapids Michigan. So they moved there to start a Midas Muffler shop. Eventually Dick owned three Midas Muffler shops in Michigan.
Dick had many hobbies. When he was young he enjoyed sports car racing on tracks around Chicago. When his son Jeff was born he gave up the sport because during that time, the 1950s, this was a very dangerous sport and he realized he needed to put his family first. When Dick and family moved to Grand Rapids, he started playing tennis. Dick loved the sport but in Grand Rapids he had to play inside in the winter. So Dick and Joanne decided to go somewhere warm in the winter. They moved to San Diego, CA in 1972 where they lived for the next 50 years. Besides tennis Dick enjoyed sports cars and later classic collector cars. He was a member of several car clubs. Dick and Joanne enjoyed showing their cars and traveling with the clubs for events with their cars. Dick also put on several car shows for the classic car clubs to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Dick will be missed by his family and friends. But we all have many fond memories of Dick. Dick’s life can be summed up in his favorite singer Frank Sinatra’s song, “I did it my way”.
A celebration of life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Murray Calloway County Humane Society, 607 Poplar St. # A, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741.
Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com
J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
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