Richard Gordy Ousse

Richard Ousse, 72, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2015 at Ace Elder Care in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A Memorial Service will be held on October 24, 2015 at Einan’s at Sunset (915 Bypass Highway Richland, WA 99352) beginning at 1:00pm. Friends of the family and his former students are all welcome to attend. Richard was born in Morgan City, Louisiana on September 18, 1943 to Richard and Ella Ousse. He was a retired teacher and a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, serving in the Vietnam War. Richard enlisted in the Marine Corps in October of 1961 and was honorably discharged in January of 1966. While in the Marine Corps, he earned a Rifle Marksman Badge, Pistol Marksman Badge and a Good Conduct Medal. In 1974, he met his wife Brenda in Jasper, Alberta, Canada. They were married in Elko, Nevada in 1977 and welcomed their daughter, Shawna, while living in New Mexico. While growing up in Algiers, Louisiana he found a passion for working on cars, which led to a career as an Automotive Instructor. In 1980, he began teaching Automotive at Pearl River Community College in Kiln, Mississippi. In 1986, when the family settled in Kennewick, Washington, Richard began teaching Auto Systems Technology at Tri-Tech Skills Center. Richard’s students participated in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition. His students won the state competition twice (1998 and 2002) and then went on to compete at Nationals in Washington, DC. He retired from teaching in 2004. Richard loved to go fishing and camping. The family would go camping each summer throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta. In 1989, they took their daughter camping in Jasper, Alberta to show her the beautiful place they met. Since Richard was a young boy he always loved dogs. Throughout the years, the family had anywhere from 1-5 dogs at a time. He enjoyed bird hunting with his dogs Ace, Galahad and Rosetti. He and Brenda competed in dog shows with their English Pointers for four years. After retirement, Richard and Brenda moved to Naples, Idaho. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ella Ousse. He is survived by his Wife, Brenda Ousse; Daughter, Shawna Ousse; Sisters, Melissa Guillot and Patsy Pellegrin; Brother, Charlie D’Ourso; Nieces, Keisha Johnson, Shaia D’Ourso, Tonya Kollatt and Nephews Bob and Durell Pellegrin. The family would like to express their appreciation for the care Richard received over the last four years. He was cared for by Ace Elder Care, and in his final days he received compassionate care from Auburn Crest Hospice; thank you all for your kindness. Family and friends are invited to sign Richard’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.