Submit a PhotoRichard Hunter Holbrook passed away December 18, 2023 surrounded by his wife and children. Born December 2, 1953 to Richard Lincoln Holbrook and Mary Jean Hunter in Salt Lake City, Utah. His early years were spent in Utah. His family moved to Alameda, California when Rich was in fourth grade, and eventually settled in San Jose, California. Rich was always very creative, winning many awards for his artwork. He also excelled in athletics, earning numerous accolades in swimming, track and field, and football. During the summer before starting high school, along with his dad and best friend, Rich walked the whole length of the John Muir Trail in the High Sierras – 260 miles in three weeks. Rich graduated with the class of 1972 from Leland High School in San Jose, California.
After high school, Rich served an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexico North Mission. Upon his return, he married Marla Jolene May in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on November 6, 1975. They were blessed with three children: Matthew (Natalie), Curtis (Charlene), and Alayna. They raised their children in Sandy, Utah, and then moved to Gilbert, Arizona in 2002.
Rich spent his life working in the construction industry, retiring from Layton Construction Company in 2020. The highlight of his career was being the Project Superintendent over the rebuilding of the Nauvoo LDS Temple. Rich was very service-oriented. Helping others brought him so much joy. After retirement, Rich and Marla worked with the Tampico, Mexico mission to provide service for the Huejutla District members. He loved arranging temple trips for the Mexican people. Outside of church service, Rich most enjoyed spending time working on his cabin, taking his friends and family to lunch, building and creating things, watching football, and spending as much quality time as possible with his grandchildren.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Marlo May, brother-in-law Bryan May, and sister-in-law Susan May. He is survived by his wife, children, one granddaughter and nine grandsons, sisters Ann (Mark) and Susan, and brothers Steven (Chris) and Mark (Stacy).
A visitation will be held at Gilbert Memorial Park Funeral Home, located at 2100 E Queen Creek Road, in Gilbert, Arizona, on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Ray Ward LDS Chapel, located at 1155 E Ray Road, in Gilbert, Arizona, on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 11:00 am. Following the services, the interment will take place at the Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to your sweet family and you. May the Lord bless and comfort you
Richard and Marla have always been examples to us as a joyful marriage! I will miss Rich’s booming laugh and amazing smile❤️ Much love and prayers to his family at this sad time. Love you all!
Giant of a man! A friend to everyone! He will be missed!
We have lost a great friend and a faithful missionary from the Mexico North crew. We hope Marla and her family will find comfort in their knowledge of the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and the sealing power of the temple!
Rich was one of those rare humans that touched everyone’s heart; he brightened the day each time he walked onto a job site. My husband and I loved and respected Rich and continued to think fondly of him after he retired.
He will be greatly missed by so many people. Thank you for sharing him with us!
Rich was a man who you loved to be around, I enjoyed every moment I had to spend with him. Rest in Peace Brother.
Rich was a person who I loved being around, I appreciated his friendship and knowledge that he gave to me. Rest in Peace Brother.
Rich is a great man, I always enjoyed anytime I could spend with him. He was a good example a great friend and mentor. Rest in Peace my friend.
Cannot believe Rich is gone. Rich was by far the greatest teacher and superintendent I ever worked with.