Richard Gerald Bonham

Funeral services for Richard Gerald Bonham, 77, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Bonham passed away at 7:20 p.m., Friday, July 5, 2024, at his home. 

He was born October 5, 1946, at Gainesville, Missouri, to Herbert Ruland Bonham and Doris Donna Jean Tackitt Bonham.  Richard graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1964.  On August 14, 1970, he was married at Wasco, California, to Leslie Joan Tallon.  He was a truck driver for over fifty years.  Richard started driving in California, hauling hay for his uncle, J.B. Tackitt (Tackitt Trucking).  The last twenty years, he drove for 4-F Trucking and had recently retired from driving.  He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan.  Richard enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play ball; he especially loved fishing with his grandkids.  Mr. Bonham loved the Lord and was a member of the Bakersfield Church of Christ, where he enjoyed leading song services.  He was a loving family man and cherished time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, of the family home; four children, Linda Fisk and husband, Mike, Harrisonville, Missouri, David Bonham, Carter Lake, Iowa, Rebecca Foster and husband, Kenneth, Caulfield, Missouri and Erin Rogers and husband, Scott, West Plains, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Kandi Shelton and husband, Cody, Paige Fisk, Kraig Foster and wife, Lacie, Brett Foster and wife, Shala, Megan Rogers Smith, Taylor Rogers, Rylee Rogers and Tucker Rogers; three great-grandchildren, Farris, Miles and Lainey Foster; six siblings, Tommy Bonham and wife, Beverly, Harry Bonham and wife, Wanda, Mike Bonham and wife, Gail, Patty Sturgeon and husband, Gary, Blake Bonham and wife, Debbie and Cindy Martin and husband, David; one uncle, Billy Joe Tackitt; sister-in-law, Naomi Grontkowski; brother-in-law, Lowell Tallon; sister-in-law, Judy Tackitt, and husband Jerry; brother-in-law, Joe Belt; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

His parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerry and Lizzie Tallon, sister-in-law, Ramona Belt, brother-in-law, Joe Grontkowski and one nephew, Nicholas Grontkowski, preceded him in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, at Elijah Church of Christ.  Burial will be in Elijah Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.