Richard Michael Shields

Longtime Alaskan resident Richard Michael Shields, 53, passed away at home in Palmer on Aug. 2, 2014, due to natural causes.

A celebration of life is at 2 p.m., Aug. 9 at Farm Loop Christian Center, 5900 N. Farm Loop, Palmer. A viewing for friends and family will be held 1 hour prior to services at the church. Burial will follow at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery on E. Arctic Ave. Pastor John Wilson will officiate at the service. Pallbearers will be Hudson Shields (son), Daniel Carter (son-in-law), Christopher Kurka (son-in-law), Aaron Lovejoy, Nick Lavender, Adam Rowe, Derek Jacobs, and Sol Talamoni.

Rick was born on Dec. 11, 1960, in Tacoma, Washington, and moved to Alaska in 1961. Rick moved to Nome when he was 3 and Fairbanks when he was 17. He left Alaska in 1977 and moved to the state of Washington where he received his associate’s degree. He met his future wife, Tammy Hedblum, and in 1988 they were married. He then moved his family to Palmer in May of 1999. Rick worked for Gladheart Acres, which was owned by his family. He was involved in community council meetings. His joys in life were computer repair, guitar, music and playing the Wii.

Rick was a fun loving husband, father and member of the community. He will be deeply missed by family, friends and the community. The family wishes to express their thanks to all the emergency responders who assisted in the last moments of his life.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Tammy Shields of Palmer; daughters, Hannah, Hope, Hosanna, Helayna Shields of Wasilla; Harmony Shields of Anchorage; daughter and son-in-law, Heather (Shields) and Daniel Carter of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Haylee (Shields) and Christopher Kurka of Peters Creek; son, Hudson Shields of Wasilla; grandsons, Nathaniel Carter of Houston; Justice Kurka of Peters Creek; and brother, Edward Viera of Tacoma, Washington.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and John.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to P.O. Box 4629 Palmer, AK 99645 (Tammy Shields).

Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel.