Richard Francis Joynt (Dick) passed away peacefully July 16, 2010 with family at his side. He was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa to Daniel and Mary Ellen Joynt on April 12, 1917. He was the eldest of three sons and was preceded in death by his brothers Daniel and Gerald. He worked the family farm until he entered the Army Air Corps in 1939 where he advanced to a Master Sergeant and Airplane Line Chief.
In 1943 Dick was married to Noreen (Billie) Smith of Lundbreck Alberta, while he was stationed in South Carolina. She preceded him in death in 1992 in Oroville, California. Together they raised their family in California and Oregon. He was an Electrician, retiring as an Electrical Inspector in Portland in 1978. He spent his retirement years in California and Arizona keeping busy tinkering with airplanes, flying, and donating his time at St. Vincent de Paul.
Dick is survived by his six children and their spouses, sons Danny (Darlene), and Brian (Donna) of Salem and Terry (Cory) of Portland, daughters Patricia Shryock (David) of Salem, Mary Majchrzak (Richard) of Yorba Linda California and Noreen Joynt (Eddie) of Portland. Fifteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren will remember him as the grandfather that loved airplanes.
He greatly appreciated the care he received in his final days at Regency Woodland Assisted Living in Salem. Rosary will be Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 7:30pm at Virgil T Goldens Funeral Home in Salem. The Funeral Mass will be Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 11:00 am at Queen of Peace Church in Salem.
His ashes will be buried in Oroville, California with his wife of 49 years.
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.