Richards (Dick) Harding Merley

Nov 3, 1921 - Jun 16, 2002

Richards (Dick) Harding Merley, 80, of Helena, passed away at his home Sunday night, four months after he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Dick was a loving father, husband and music educator who contributed greatly to the lives of thousands of Montana children. Dick was born in South Bend, Ind., to Clay and Mamie (Richards) Merley on Nov. 3, 1921. Dick attended and graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1938. While at South Bend Central, he was asked to join the boys basketball team by the legendary John Wooden, who would later become UCLA's legendary and record setting basketball coach. Although a talented athlete in a sports-minded town, Dick chose instead to pursue his "other" love — the trumpet — and performed in countless musical groups and organizations while a student.

Following graduation from high school, Dick attended Indiana University and studied business, receiving his degree in 1942. Following a short stint working in the Midwest, Dick made his way to Helena in 1944 and became a regular musician at the Montana Club and in the city's State Capital Band. Near the end of World War H, Dick moved to the state of Washington where he served as a civil service recruiter for the Manhattan (nuclear bomb) Project.

Following the war, Dick returned to Helena and, during his frequent performances at the Montana Club, he met and fell in love with June Cummins, a young pianist from East Helena. The two were married in 1947. Following their marriage, June and Dick both went to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. Both paid tuition by traveling with a dance band in the Northwest. Dick studied to receive his teaching certificate in music and, after graduating, took his growing young family (three sons — Kim, Tod, and Reid) to teaching jobs in Thompson Falls, Conrad, Drummond and Anaconda, finally returning to Helena in 1962 where he taught band, choir and music for 25 years. Dick also served as Music Coordinator for the Helena School District during several of those years.

Dick was a mainstay of the Helena musical community. He performed in numerous groups, including Helena Symphony, Don Williams Big Band, Helena Big Band, Merley Combo, Knovelty Knights, Hungry Five German Band and many others. He once substituted with the Glenn Miller Orchestra during a Helena performance. Dick was most often recognized for leading the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Montana" at summer concerts in Memorial Park. In addition to performing, he directed the First Presbyterian Church Choir, led the Shriners Band and Chanters, served as secretary/treasurer of the American Federation of Musicians Local 642 for 16 years, bugled for Helena-area military funerals for 35 years, and taught private voice and instrument lessons up until the time of his death. Dick was also a lifelong member of the Helena Music Teachers Association, the Helena Shrine and the Helena Civitans organizations and served in various capacities in all these organizations over the years.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife, June, who was his constant musical, emotional and spiritual companion; his sons and their spouses, Kim and Vickie Merley of Mesa, Ariz., Reid Merley and Sherry Parmater of Kalispell, Tod Merley of Seattle, Wash., and grandchildren, Michael Merley of New York City, Angela Merley of Tucson, Ariz., and Hannah and Matthew Merley of Seattle. Along with Erik, Elizabeth and Emily Burke who were part of the family to him.

Cremation of Dick's remains has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home, Thursday, June 20, 2002, at 2 p.m. A reception and jam session will follow at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. The family requests gifts or donations in lieu of flowers to the State Capital Band, do Glen Thomas, 237 Greenwood Dr., Helena, MT 59601. 

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

07/21/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54723060/richards-harding-merley