Richard Kay Poulsen

For the service of Richard, click here

Richard Kay Poulsen, age 92, peacefully returned home to his Father in Heaven on March 28, 2024 in St. George, Utah, surrounded by family and loved ones. He lived a life of hard work, dedicated discipleship, and genuine love for and interest in others.

R. Kay was born in Thatcher, Idaho on September 4, 1931 to faithful parents Alden Poulsen and Agnes Pearl Lloyd. His father owned a Grade A milk farm in Rigby Idaho. R. Kay grew up caring for the cattle rain or shine—up at first light and working until sun down, making sure all 85 cows were milked and fed.

He loved football and was also very active in the FFA program in high school, traveling and learning skills in the pursuit of his dream to become a veterinarian.

He met his sweetheart, Coleen Poole, her freshman year and his senior year of high school. Their first date was on New Year's Eve 1948. Their favorite school subject was “radiatorology”—the ten-minute period they would meet at the radiator between classes. They also loved attending church dance festivals together.

R. Kay faithfully served in the Australian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from January 1951 to February 1953. He often carried letters from Coleen with him in his suit pocket. After a 32-day journey by ship, he returned home in March of 1953 and married his sweetheart on May 1, 1953 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

R. Kay then began working as a vet for Dr. Sid Allen, and became proficient in many procedures and skills for treating his father’s herd. In July 1953, R. Kay was drafted to serve in the Korean war, but was denied during the induction physical for suspected asthma tendency (or what he called “hay fever”).

R. Kay then made a shift and began his career in banking as a bookkeeper then teller at The Bank of Eastern Idaho. His career took him many places, eventually to mortgage banking and as the Vice President of Utah Mortgage and Loan. He spent the remainder of his career in commercial banking, and retired from Zions Bank in 1996. He continued doing inspections for Zions Bank until the age of 85.

R. Kay served the Lord faithfully throughout his life, fulfilling many callings and leadership positions in the church. He was the president of a stake mission, scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, branch president of a young single adult branch, counselor in the high priest quorum, administrator on temple square, and a full-time missionary with Coleen in the Cove Fort Mission from 2004-2005. He was also actively involved in his community, with one of his favorite roles as judge in St. George Live. Among his most loved hobbies were camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, and history.

R. Kay and Coleen shared 71 beautiful years of marriage, filled with happiness and joy, sadness and sorrow. His faith and optimism were never wavering, firm in his knowledge that both the trials and triumphs we face in life are how we learn and prepare for the next step of our eternal journey.

R. Kay was lovingly welcomed home by those who preceded him—his baby sister Delores Poulsen, parents Alden and Agnes Poulsen, brother Lloyd (Dorothy), sister Donna Maxwell (JB), sons Richard Alden, John Lloyd, and Brent Walter, and granddaughter Nichole Marriott.

He is survived in legacy and admiration by his wife Coleen, children David (JoAnn), Michael (Carolyn), Jeanette John (Jeff), brother Ron (Colleen), 16 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday April 5th at 11:00 am at the Morningside Stake Center 881 South River Rd. in St. George, Utah. Visitation will be prior to the service on Friday, April 5th from 9:30-10:45 am. Interment will be at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery, in Rigby, Idaho.

R. Kay and Coleen wished to send heartfelt thanks to the hospice care team at Zions Way Hospice—Kathy, Michelle, Cassie, Bryce, ZZ, Ryan, and Chris—and all of their friends and family at The Meadows.