Richard Flathers Sr.

Richard “Rich” Flathers, 63, formerly of Marshalltown and Tokyo, Japan, passed away surrounded by his loving wife and family on July 25, 2024 at Unity Point Health Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Services for Rich will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 beginning at 10:30 A.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rich’s name may be directed to a veteran organization of the donors choosing. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Richard Alan Flathers Sr. was born January 11, 1961 in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was the sixth of eight children born to Lester “Les” and Waunema “Dolly” (Beaderstadt) Flathers. Rich grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa and later would be a graduate from Marshalltown High School in the Class of 1979. Rich enlisted in the United States Army in 1982. He remained state side. While in the service, Rich was able to complete his Associates of Arts Degree from New York University. In 1984, Rich was honorably discharged from services.

In 1979, Rich was married to Barbara Stallwood. Together they made a home in Marshalltown and began a family raising two children, Richard “Alan” Flathers Jr., and Amy Flathers. He worked for many years at JBS (previously Con Agora and Swift) as an import manager. In 1991, Barbara passed away and Rich continued to work for JBS until 2001. On July 7, 2000, Rich was married to Yorie Itayama at New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown. They moved to Tokyo, Japan in 2001. While in Japan, Rich filled out the rest of his days until retirement as an English teacher. They spent over 20 years in Japan before moving back home in 2024 to be closer to family as he struggled a year long illness and hospitalization.

In his free time, Rich enjoyed playing with the adult Lego sets building two DeLorean cars. He enjoyed building miniatures and made the little weapons for them and had a keen eye for the painting and detailing of the models. He enjoyed to watch movies. He was known to be a great cook and had his favorite snacks of cookies, cheese, and cheerios. He liked to go and grab Taco Bravos at Taco John’s when he was able to do so. He was big into playing air soft and was a member of the Marshalltown Gun Club where he liked to go for target practice. His favorite thing by far was being a papa.

Those left to remember and cherish his memory are his wife, Yorie Flathers; his daughter, Amy (Ryan) McGraw; his grandchildren, Mason Frost, Melody McGraw, Taylor Flaters, Skylar Flathers, and Kaylee Flathers; his siblings, Marsha (Larry) White, Susan (Jeff) Schwend, Jerry (Claudia) Flathers, Nancy (Tom) Dobson, and Ron (Shelly) Flathers; alongside numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Flathers; his son Richard “Alan” Flathers Jr.; his parents Les and Dolly Flathers; and his siblings, Bob Flathers and Don Flathers.