Richard "Dick" Orville Bullard

Richard Orville Bullard, Age 93, passed away on May 10, 2026 at his home in Greeley, Colorado.

Richard, known as Dick, was born in Higbee, Colorado and grew up in the Arkansas Valley near Cheraw. He graduated from Cheraw High School, where he met Shirley Ann Hurrelbrink, was student council president, played on the football and basketball teams. After graduation and at the beginning of the Korean War, he married Shirley and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He trained as a pilot and fighter plane mechanic; eventually stationed at Mountain Home, Idaho where he completed 4 years of service to honorable discharge final rank as Staff Sergeant.

Returning to civilian life, Dick and Shirley with a growing family, moved to Westminster, Colorado, where they purchased their first home and he opened a mechanic shop. Business was sparse, so he took a job at Martin Marietta, then a machine floor aerospace engineer position was offered at Sundstrand Aerospace, where he moved with the family to the plant in Rockford, IL, advanced in training to the Quality Control Department. He received a promotion to Group Manager and returned to Westminster, Colorado where he eventually became Section Manager to his retirement from his 29-year career.

Retirement opened another career as he studied real estate and continued to receive his brokerage license. He worked for his friend, Don Mathison until he opened D&S Bullard Real Estate, his own brokerage firm. He and Shirley were both retired by this time and decided to leave the Denver Metro area for property in Weld County near Platteville, where he opened an office and transitioned to Front Range Brokers, specializing in placing manufactured homes on land.

He developed a passion for serving the community and his church when he studied to become a United Methodist Church lay minister while he held memberships with the Lions Club and Gideons through his journey of faith. Eventually, Shirley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and he closed the business for retirement to caregiver. They were married 67 years when the disease caused Shirley’s permanent departure. Dick continued his service to his church and zest for life even to his last day.

He is survived by his daughters: Dianne Frazer of Bloomington, IL and Cynthia Bullard of Greeley, CO; Granddaughters: Melissa Pratt, of Thornton, CO., Amy Tell and Great-Granddaughter, Alexia Stirk of Bloomington, IL.

He was preceded by his parents: Frances Viola Roberts and Roy Earnest Bullard, Siblings: Hattie Mae Barnes, Clara Mable Norris, Roy William Bullard and Robert Sylvester Bullard. Sons: Rodney Lynn and William Bryon Bullard

A Celebration of Life service will be held on June 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Evans United Methodist Church – 602 39th Street in Evans, Colorado.

Flowers and/or donations to UMCOR on behalf of Evans United Methodist Church are welcome.