Bruneau native to mark 101 b-day

The family of Richard Mecham expect that he'll celebrate his 101st birthday riding his tractor if the weather cooperates.

Richard "Rich" Mecham, a longtime resident of Bruneau, will celebrate his 101st birthday March 7.

Mecham was born and raised in Park Valley, Utah. While in his teens, he put a bed roll on his horse and rode to Jackson, Wyo., to work for several ranches in the Jackson area.

When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands and in Italy. On his return home from Italy, he married Florence Larson of Burley.

Mecham worked as a trapper, hunter and rancher and retired from the Idaho Department of Highways. During his retirement, he has enjoyed teaching rope making to Scouts, gardening, horse breaking, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and chicken ranching.

His wife, Florence, passed away last year following 69 years of marriage. His extended family includes 15 grandchildren and more than 30 great-grandchildren.

Last year's birthday celebration wore him out, so this year he asks for family and friends to just send him a card. If the weather is good, he'll be out on the tractor or rototilling the garden.