Richard Earl Class IV

Richard (Rich) Earl Class IV, age 62, passed away unexpectedly in his home in Parker, Colorado on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Rich graduated from Pueblo County High School in 1982 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy from the Colorado School of Mines in 1989. While in high school and college, Rich was honored to participate in ROTC and served in the Reserves as part of the Army Corps of Engineers for several years.

After graduating from college, Rich worked at Target for over 20 years in many different roles. By far, the best part of this experience is that this is where he met his wife, Michelle. Rich left Target for King Soopers and has worked as a General Merchandise manager for the past 12 years. He will be missed by the co-workers who came to know him for his strong work ethic, his compassion, and his quirky sense of humor.

Rich and Michelle recently celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary. They loved to travel, including multiple trips to the Disney parks, cruising, and road trips to National Parks. Rich was a voracious reader and a sucker for happy endings and cheesy tourist traps like Casa Bonita. He was a kid at heart, playing with toys with the nieces and nephews when they were little and riding roller coasters with them when they got older. Rich was kind, optimistic, always willing to lend a helping hand, and never let a negative word about anyone cross his lips. Rich was truly one of the good guys.

Rich is survived by his wife, Michelle (Poff), his mother, Barbara, his sister and brother-in-law, Pam and John Komaroski and their daughters, Amy and Abby, his sister and brother-in-law, Kris and Russ Gensemer and their sons, Josh and Jake, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Charlotte and Ron Lattin, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Norman and Maria Poff, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Renee and David Burge and their children, Tiffany (Derek – husband, Cooper – son, and Raven – daughter), Kyra (Colby – husband), and Zeke. Rich will also be missed by his many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard (Dick) Class.

A celebration of Rich’s life will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Horan and McConaty, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80227. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Veterans of Foreign War Post 5061 at 5220 West Warren Ave, Denver, CO 80227.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Food Bank of the Rockies or, since Rich was avid blood donor, please donate blood in his memory.