April 3, 1944 — June 28, 2024
Lawrence Victor Riches, Jr., husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend passed away peacefully at age 80, on June 28, 2024, in Carmel, California. He was born on April 3, 1944, to Lawrence Victor Riches, Sr. and Gwendolyn Helen (Low) Riches in Laramie, Wyoming. He was the eldest of their five children: Kathleen (Garth) Pickett, Dennis (Pat) Riches, Lynn (Betty) Riches and Tom Riches.
Vic was married and sealed for time and all eternity to the love of his life, Carolyn Cutler, on June 18, 1965 in the Oakland California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had four children: Michelle (Ted) Helvey, Kevin (Melissa) Riches, Kenneth (Katherine) Riches, and Angela (Derek) Banks; 12 grandchildren: Brittany (Corbin) Smith, Michael (Annie) Helvey, Cameron (Mckenzie) Helvey, Lindsay (Calvin) Millett, Nathan (Gillian) Riches, Jordan (Madi) Riches, Hannah Riches, Rebecca Riches, Porter Banks, Calvin Banks, Brandt Banks, and Simon Banks; and 10 great-grandchildren and counting: Will, Cooper, & Sam Smith, Gwennie, Ollie & Jack Helvey, Lyla, Russell & Que Helvey, and Grace Millett.
Vic was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a powerful testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ. He was grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Oakland, California Temple for the past 22 years as an ordinance worker and as a sealer. During his life, he led in many ways, both individually and at his wife’s side. He loved serving and ministered in a very personal way. He will be remembered for his wise counsel, generosity, loving heart, and sense of humor. He was patient, kind, non-judgmental and accepted everyone as a valued, loved, and important person. He gave freely and abundantly of his time and shared everything he had with many of Heavenly Father’s children.
Vic is the founder of Garden Supply Hardscapes (formerly Los Altos Garden Supply), a family-owned business that he established in 1964. There, he worked alongside his brothers, sons, and other loved coworkers. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Pinewood and Oakwood Schools.
Vic was a man of many gifts and talents. He taught the principles of the gospel, service, and hard work to his children by his example. He loved learning and was always involved in a project or two. Whether he was gathering honey from his beehives in Carmel, working his ranches and farms in Idaho and Utah, or leading family and friends down the slopes at Deer Valley in Park City, he always had a smile on his face and his iconic laugh could be heard all around. He and his wife, Carolyn, made an incredible team as they enjoyed working on grand endeavors together. He always finished any project he started and did it with perfection. He had a tremendous and lasting impact on those with whom he interacted and enabled many people to do things that would have been otherwise impossible.
Vic’s final resting place is at Alta Mesa Memorial Park near his parents, wife, and son, Kevin, who passed before him. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Morgan Hill, 1790 East Dunne Ave. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. God be with you ’till we meet again.
