RICHARD GARRETT THORPE I of Battle Creek, MI died Tuesday evening, August 9, 2016 at the age of 90. He was born January 16, 1926 in Bedford, Michigan, the son of Garrett and Bessie Thorpe. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Robert and Donald Thorpe and two sisters: Frances Fish and Margaret Thorpe.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Elinor Sackett Thorpe; two sons, Richard G. (Ann) Thorpe II, Randy (Darla) Thorpe; one daughter Cyndi (Steve) Swan; 7 Grandchildren: Dawn (John) Dye, Richard G. (Jennie) Thorpe III, April (Jason) Knickerbocker, Andrea (James) Lipscomb, Dustin Dowding, Greg Thorpe, Devan Dowding; 14 Great Grandchildren: Ashlee and Andrew Whitcomb, Hayden, Shelby, Alora and Cadence Thorpe, Gabi, Carmen and Jackson Knickerbocker, Brionna Mallernee, Kimberly, Austyn, Avery and Kotah Lipscomb.

He graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1943, then served in the US Army from 1944-1946. Richard worked at Michigan Carton for 17 years and then became a Millwright at Kellogg's for 28 years. He retired from the Kellogg Company in 1988, having achieved membership in the Kellogg 25 Year Club. He was a Charter Member of Pennfield Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon.

In his earlier years, Richard enjoyed leisure hours on his snowmobile. He was an avid golfer, a pro-football enthusiast as well as a gifted Stone Mason.