Richard Joseph Doepker

August 11, 1936 - October 7, 2016

 Visalia, California (formerly of Annaheim, Sk.)

Richard Joseph Doepker, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died on October 7, 2016 at his home in Visalia, California at the age of 80. Richard was born in Annaheim, Sask. on August 11, 1936 and was the youngest of 12 children. He is predeceased in death by his parents Bernard and Mary Doepker, five brothers, Joseph, Francis, Bernard, Raymond and Jerome Doepker, and three sisters Sister Maria, OSU, Auddie Dennis, and Rosemary Revering. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Vivian, and their 4 children: Greg Doepker of Arizona, Stephanie Davis of Kingsburg, Tony Diaz (Julie) and Sabrina Jimenez both of Visalia. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren Gabby Diaz, Tyler Davis (Kylie), Savannah Diaz, Trenten Davis, Mallorie Diaz, Darian Jimenez, Jared Davis, Gabriel Davis, Angela Davis, and Jonathan Jimenez, four great-grandchildren Braxley Davis, Ryker Davis, Eloise Davis, and Maverick Davis and three siblings Ted Doepker of Saskatoon, Donald Doepker of Annaheim and Theresa Kosokowsky of Humboldt. After graduating from high school at St. Peter’s Benedictine Monastery where he was studying to be a priest he then took another calling and began a baseball career pitching for the Saskatoon Moores. While with the Moores, he was scouted and recruited by Roy Taylor of the College of Sequoias and Pete Biden of Fresno State where he was their top pitcher for four years. During the summer he played for Moose Jaw and Saskatoon in the Western Canadian Baseball League. After graduating from Fresno State he played 5 years in the Pittsburgh Pirate’s organization. Highlights from his baseball career would be helping the Moores win the Saskatchewan Provincial Junior Baseball Championship in 1955. Also, helping the College of Sequoias win the California State Baseball Championship in 1957 and Fresno State get to its first College World Series in 1959. After graduating from Fresno State where he earned a Master’s Degree in History he returned to Visalia to begin his teaching career at Mt. Whitney High School for 13 years where he was also a coach, councillor and dean. In 1979 he opened Golden West High School and served as principal for 17 years and where he developed strong bonds between his staff, students and their families and served as a mentor, friend, and champion of the Golden West family.

A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in Annaheim Sk. on Saturday Nov. 12, at 2:00 p.m.
Interment to follow at the St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Annaheim, Sk.