Final Salute

Richard M. “Dick” Bulkley, 80, of Parsons, passed away at 3:20 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Autumn Place with family by his side.

He was born on July 10, 1945, in Reading, KS, to Harry L. “Pete” and Mary L. (Robinson) Bulkley. As a young child, Richard moved with his family to Parsons, where he grew up and attended grade school. In 1961, he joined the United States Naval Reserve while still attending Labette County Community High School. After graduating from LCCHS, he married the love of his life, Karen Merchant, on July 18, 1963. She survives of the home.

In March of 1964, Richard entered active duty with the Seabees, where he was among the first in the country serving in the construction battalion. He spent two years serving in Vietnam and Okinawa before returning stateside. After his honorable discharge, Richard and his family moved to Wichita where he worked for Cardwell. Later, he worked for Boeing and at Danny Thomas’s farm before eventually returning to Parsons. Over the years, he worked for Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Katy Railroad, and retired after 35 years with Kansas Gas Service.

Richard cherished time spent with his family and especially enjoyed traveling across the United States watching his son jockey racehorses and watching his children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s various activities. He had many talents and hobbies, including welding, stained glass work, building cedar furniture, raising and racing horses, and scuba diving. He was a devoted member of Western Way Cowboy Church.

Additional survivors include his daughters, Lori McKinzie (Steve) of Altamont and Kandra Crouch (Jim) of Joplin; grandchildren, Tyler McKinzie (Cori) of Gilbert, Jamie Carr (Luke) of Coffeyville, Kristin Barnes (Blake) of Tahlequah, Coltin Bulkley (Alina) of Bonner Springs, and Jacie Crouch of Joplin; great-grandchildren, Hadley and Bailey Carr; Paisley, Gus, and Mac Barnes; Sydney and Emma McKinzie; and Raiya Bulkley; his brother, Bill Bulkley of Bartlesville; and his sister, Carol Drenon of Parsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Rick Bulkley, in 1998.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Western Way Cowboy Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with military honors provided by Brown-Bishop Post No. 704 Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to Western Way Cowboy Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.