Richard Henry Kosonen

Lt Col. Richard Henry "Dick" Kosonen (US Army Retired), age 86, of St. Augustine, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, at the Clyde Lassen State Veteran Nursing Home. Dick was born in Marquette, Michigan on October 28, 1938, to Hugo and Ellen Kosonen. At a young age, his family moved to Oroville, Washington where he spent his childhood and school age years. He was a graduate of Oroville High school and went on to attend University of Michigan, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a minor in Mathematics. He entered Officer Candidate School (OCS) and joined the US Army as a Second Lieutenant. He met his wife Jeanne, who was working as a waitress in a bar in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Dick asked her out on a date and ended standing her up. Dick, not one to give up easily, locked himself in her car until she agreed to give him a second chance. The two were married August 5th, 1965. They traveled their forty-six-year journey through an eventful and fulfilling life. He served 23 years in the US Army’s Field Artillery Branch. Duty stations in the military included two locations in Germany, Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Turkey, Oklahoma, California, and finally ending in Alaska in 1981 where they fell in love with the Great land’s outdoor lifestyle and chose to stay. While stationed in Puerto Rico, Dick and Jeanne were among the most active SCUBA divers at Fort Buchanan and accumulated a beautiful collection of seashells. In Alaska, fishing and boating on their ocean sport fishing boat with friends and family occupied much of their outdoor leisure time. In addition to his working career, he was active in the Anchorage community as a member of the University Kiwanis Club (Keystone Kops) during their many service projects. He served as the Club’s secretary for 22 years. During Anchorage’s annual Fur Rendezvous carnival, he could be found roaming the community with a posse of Keystone Kops ensuring the citizenry were wearing current Fur Rondy pins. His community service efforts resulted in the members of the Kiwanis Club honored him by presenting him with the prestigious Kiwanis Hixon Award for outstanding service. Dick retired from the military as a Lt. Colonel in 1986 after a twenty-three-year career. While in the military he was awarded the Bronze Star medal, Meritorious Service medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Viet Nam Service medal, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign medal. After retirement, he continued working for the Army in the Federal Civil Service retiring again in 1997 and was awarded The Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award. Dick traveled extensively in his retirement and helped raise his grandsons, to whom he served as a great role model. Dick was a strict, stubborn, yet loving family man. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching war movies. He was loved by his family and respected by his colleagues, and he will be missed. Dick was preceded in death by brothers, Steve & Stan, and his beloved wife, Jeanne. He is survived by his daughter, Belinda Eaton of Green Cove Springs; grandsons, Matthew Brock and his wife Natalie of Jacksonville, FL., Morgan Eaton of Green Cove Springs, Tylor Eaton of Anchorage, Alaska; a sister, Wilma Alkire and her husband Bill of Washington State; brothers, Lynn Kosonen and his wife Caroline of Orange County, California, David Kosonen and his wife Pam of Olympia, Washington, Mark Kosonen and his wife Sarah of Washington State, and great grandchildren, Weston, Isaiah, Ryder, Isabella, Sofia & Catalina. A funeral service with military honors will be held at 11 am Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with Rev. John Fletcher officiating. A visitation, beginning at 10am, will precede the service. Those unable to attend can view the service live-streamed at https://iframe.dacast.com/live/2a7a09ae1c0559a83ef537e05e6a14a6/2aae7d5f-98fd-a9e6-32a7-b774547cf42c. In accordance with Dick's wishes, he will be interred with his late wife Jeanne at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage, Alaska. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Richard Henry Kosonen

October 28, 1938 - August 4, 2025