Lloyd Richard Best, 79, of Marshall, MO, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia.

Graveside services with military rites will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Missouri State Veterans’ Cemetery in Higginsville with Fr. Francis Doyle officiating.  There is no visitation.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.

Richard was born on January 17, 1944, in Marshall, MO and was the only son of Lloyd J. Best and Mary Cromley Best.  Richard lived in Saline County most of his life where he was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church.  Richard attended Blackwater Rural School, was a 1962 graduate of Marshall High School, and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Missouri Valley College and then his Specialist in Education degree from Central Missouri College in Warrensburg.  Richard taught school in Malta Bend, served as principal at Silex High School, was superintendent and principal in the Wheeling School District and then retired from Otterville School District, where he was also superintendent, making his career over 20 years in education.  In 1987 he married Judy Houchen who survives of the home.  Richard also served in the Missouri Army National Guard for 26 years, retiring in 1990, attaining the rank of Major, and was a member of the Otterville American Legion.

In addition to his wife, Judy; he is survived by two children from a previous marriage, Lori N. Howard (Robert) of Lake St. Louis and Lyle J. Best (Katherine) of Linn; bonus children from his marriage to Judy, Curtis D. Houchen (Amie) of Peculiar and Trisha D. Houchen McAmis (Scott) of Deerfield Beach, FL; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, with three more on the way.  Though he may not have often verbalized his love for them, he loved them all dearly.