Richard Louis Tundag Sr.

RUPERT – Richard Tundag, age 65, left this earth and stepped into his eternal home in heaven on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith...”

Richard was born on June 11, 1947 in Santa Ana, Calif., the son of Casiano and Inocencia Marval Tundag. Born and raised in Santa Ana, his childhood was full of family, good friends and sports. Everyone who knew him knew that he lit up a room when he arrived, always full of joy and laughter. He graduated from Santa Ana High School and attended Santa Ana Junior College for one year. He was well known for his talent on the football field, but despite his love for the game he chose to attend Latin American Bible Institute (LABI) after surrendering his life to Jesus Christ.

It was at LABI that he met the love of his life, Ruth Ortega. After many fun years at LABI, they married in 1971 in Rupert, Idaho. The first few years of their marriage they pastored in Encanto, Calif., and Santa Ana, Calif., and eventually moved to Rupert to be a youth pastor in Burley. He began working at Ore-Ida and eventually retired from McCain’s. He loved his California roots, but was happy to be in Idaho as he loved fishing, hunting, and camping.

Together, Richard and Ruth raised two children, Richard Jr. (Rick) and Cassie. He was a father that loved his family more than anything and always strived to live a godly life as an example to them. He was loved by many and was a mentor, big brother, and father figure to countless individuals. He was an active member of Mountain View Christian Center and loved his church deeply. He was also active in coaching city league sports and volunteered at Paul Elementary School and Cassia Regional Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Tundag of Rupert; his children, Rick (Autumn) Tundag of Heyburn, and Cassie Tundag of Dublin, Calif.; his beloved grandsons, Titus and Zephaniah Tundag of Heyburn; his siblings, Casiano, Jr. (Eloisa) of Irvine, Calif., Eleanor (John) Perez of Phoenix, Ariz., and Betty (Jim) Mares of Corona, Calif.; and his sister-in-law, MaryAnn Tundag of Phoenix, Ariz.

Richard was reunited in heaven with his parents, Casiano and Inocencia Tundag; his brother, Gilbert Tundag; his nephews, Justin Ortega, William Elliott, Jeremiah McFate; and his niece, Grace Elliott.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Dr. James Spackman and his nurse, Trina, for the exceptional care given to Richard.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at the Mountain View Christian Center, 317 Mountain View Lane in Burley, ID. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 9, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley and on Monday from 9 until 9:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church.

A private family burial will take place at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Teen Challenge, 1846 N. Dawn Place, Boise, ID 83713, in memory of Richard.