Obituary for
Richard Walter Viall
Richard Walter ‘Dick’ Viall, of Lodi, CA, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016, in a Sacramento Hospital after a long illness. Richard, “Dick” was born in San Jose, CA on July 17, 1932. He was 84 years old. He was a graduate of Los Gatos High School and Monterey Peninsula College when he was called into Army service, stationed in Korea, and he attained the rank of Sergeant, during the Korean Conflict. After his term of service, he returned to San Jose State College and graduated with an M. A. in Marketing from San Jose State University. In 1955, he married Sharon L. White of Pacific Grove. They had three sons, Michael, Stephen and Gregory. Dick joined the marketing division of Shell Oil Company and served the company in many cities across the United States, retiring in Oakland, CA after 35 years. Following his retirement from Shell, he obtained a California State Real Estate License and worked in that endeavor for a period of time. His wife Sharon passed away in 1984. He was Past President of the Lions Club of Monterey; the Country Club Gate Homeowners Association of Pacific Grove; and Folsom Homeowners Association. Dick was a past member of the Lion’s Club, and the Sertoma Club. He also volunteered with Monterey Peninsula’s Meals on Wheels. He met his present wife, Darlene Smith- Gosney, and they were married in September, 1991. Dick and Darlene settled in Pacific Grove. A loving and devoted couple throughout their marriage, they enjoyed traveling to several countries over a number of years. In the year 2000, they moved to Lodi where his wife, Darlene was born and grew up. Richard Viall took great pleasure in sharing his political opinions - with personal friends and especially with the Lodi News Sentinel in their “Letters to the Editor”. In his online presence, he sent to his friends, he referred to himself as the “Founder and CEO” of his creation: the “Lodi Think Tank”, sending to them expansive online notes that were interesting, thoughtful , tongue-in-cheek , and most times--Brilliant! Interested in the preservation of this community, he was a Volunteer with the Lodi Police Partners and enjoyed the wide community of friends and fellow servants there. He leaves his wife, Darlene Gosney Viall; his sons, Michael, Stephen and Gregory Viall; his stepsons, Brian Gosney and wife, Sharon, and Chris Gosney and wife, Kelle. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Christopher Viall, Mandi Gosney, Michael Gosney, Nicholas Gosney, and Carter Gosney; nieces, Jackie Mitchell, (Joe), Sandy Viall, (Sage); and nephew, William (Bill) Viall. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Florence Viall; his brother, William (Bill) Viall, and his late wife, Sharon Viall. A Celebration of Dick’s Life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 1, 2016, in the Lodi Funeral Home Chapel, 725 South Fairmont Avenue, Lodi CA. Interment will be private at Sacramento National Valley Cemetery, Dixon, CA. Contributions in memory of Richard “Dick” Viall may be made to: Lodi Partners Foundation, 215 West Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240; Lodi Fairmont Adventist Church, 730 South Fairmont Avenue, Lodi, CA 95240 C/O Tuition Assistance Fund; or the Charity of the Donor’s choice
