Richard “Dick”’ Charles Christy, 80, of Ottumwa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 11, 2021 at Ridgewood Specialty Care.

Dick was born January 24, 1941 to Earl and Claudine Christy in Ottumwa, where he grew up with his two brothers and three sisters. He attended Ottumwa High School where he was president of his senior class of 1959. He participated in track and basketball throughout high school, was named first team in basketball for the Des Moines Register his senior year, and has been named to the OHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Dick attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics; he earned his Master’s degree from NE Missouri State Teachers College.

It was at Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) that he met Janeane Tjaden, whom he married on June 6, 1964, enjoying 57 years of marriage. They lived in Keota, Cedar Rapids, and then Waterloo where Dick taught math and coached high school boys’ basketball and girls’ golf. After 12 years of coaching and teaching, Dick accepted a position at State Farm Insurance, following his father’s footsteps, and the family moved to Ottumwa. He was active with his church community and served on the board of the American Homefinding Association for several years. He worked for State Farm for 23 years before retiring in 2002.

Dick and Janeane adopted two daughters who were his pride and joy. Heather became a physician and genetics researcher, and Shawna a first-grade teacher. He had four grandchildren whom he adored and who all cherished the time they spent with him. They recognized his generous spirit and kind heart, which impacted many of those who knew him.

After his wife and daughters, Dick’s greatest love was sports. He was proud of taking a boys’ basketball team and a girls’ golf team each to state tournaments as a coach. He fondly remembered his time playing college basketball at UNI under Coach Norm Stewart. He remained active as a college football referee for the Gateway Conference for 30 years. He was a regular at the YMCA for noon racquetball games.

He shared his love of sports with family and friends. He was softball coach for his daughters’ teams, loved evenings at the YMCA and golf outings with friends and family alike. Janeane lovingly remembers golf lessons from her favorite coach. He was particularly close with his nephews Greg and Geoff, sons of brother Bob. He supported their sports teams and cherished regular trips together to St. Louis to watch his beloved Cardinals, including a trip to a World Series game.
After they retired, he and Janeane traveled in their motorhome and eventually settled in Mesa, AZ, for 12 consecutive winters where Dick played on the local slow pitch softball team and enjoyed many rounds of golf.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Janeane; daughter Heather Mefford, son-in-law Chris Mefford, and grandchildren Benjamin and Audrey; daughter Shawna Christy and grandchildren Korynn and Kyler Dickey; sister Judy (David) Ortega; sisters-in-law Linda Christy and Beverly Christy; and many nieces and nephews. Dick is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James “Jim” and Robert “Bob” Christy; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia “Paddy” and Bob Bauman and Connie and Gary Wharton; sister-in-law Joanne Christy and nephew Jerry Christy.

Dick has been cremated. The family may plan a memorial service in early 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the YMCA in Dick’s name.

Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.