Richard Lawrence Tolles passed away on February 5, 2026, at the age of 89.
He was born on September 23, 1936, in Hiawatha, Kansas, to Romine Fredrick and Clarisa Georgina (Henry) Tolles. He graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1954. Shortly after, he joined the United States Army and proudly served as a cook from December 1954 to December 1956.
On October 24, 1958, he married Virginia Anne “Ginger” Young at the First Christian Church in Hiawatha. They shared 62 wonderful years of marriage and built a life full of love, laughter, and adventure together while raising their only son, Richard Eric.
As a young man, even before he was married, Richard held a variety of jobs that later became the source of many of his favorite humorous stories - including driving an egg truck and working for a finance company. After he and Ginger married, their life together took them to Topeka, Kansas, and later to Kirksville and Boonville, Missouri. A job transfer eventually brought the family to Beaumont, Texas, where Richard discovered his talent for sales in the industrial supply industry, working for Gulf Supply and Warren Alloy.
In 1976, the family moved to Huffman, Texas, where they lived for 18 years. During this time, Richard founded his own successful company, Wholesale Alloy, in Houston, supplying valves and fittings to oil field operations. These were some of his favorite working years. He was well known for hosting lively annual crawfish boils that brought together friends, customers, and local business associates.
Richard was deeply involved in his son Eric’s high school years, volunteering with the band booster club, building floats, and working concession stands. After selling his business, he retired and, in 1994, he and Ginger returned to Hiawatha to be closer to their families.
Back in Kansas, Richard enjoyed country drives with Ginger while she bird-watched, tending his tomato garden, barbecuing outdoors, spending time with his beloved dog Roger. He also enjoyed regularly meeting friends at local restaurants and at the nearby casinos, where he formed many friendships and spent countless enjoyable hours visiting, laughing, and sharing stories. He was also a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan and rarely missed a game, proudly cheering them on each season.
After Ginger’s passing, Richard moved to Willis, Texas, in 2022 to be closer to his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. There, he enjoyed riding around his Lake Conroe community on his golf cart - affectionately called his “forklift” - and quickly made many friends. He rarely missed his grandsons’ baseball games, theater performances, and orchestra concerts and was incredibly proud of all their accomplishments.
Richard will be remembered as a funny, generous, and loving man with a gift for storytelling and a deep appreciation for a good joke. He never hesitated to tell his family how much he loved them. If you were lucky enough to spend time with him, you almost certainly heard him end every conversation the same way:
“Later, Love Ya, Bye.”
He is survived by his son, Eric (Connie) Tolles of Spring, Texas; grandsons Austin and Collin Tolles of Spring, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ginger; his parents; siblings and spouses William (Willie) & Mary Tolles, Alice Elizabeth (Libs) & Toby Newell, Charles (Chaud) Tolles, Leanna (Jean) & Tommy Kattes, Donna Lee & Clyde Koci, Neva Mae Tolles and Pat & Bob Stoltenberg; and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, Kansas, on Saturday, February 14, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha. A reception for visiting and gathering will be held afterward at the First Christian Church, 210 S. 6th Street, Hiawatha, Kansas.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday.
For those who wish to send flowers, Mainstreet Flower Shoppe in Hiawatha serves the local area.
He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. Until we meet again in heaven, “Later Love Ya, Bye”.
