Richard Leo Walaconis, age 80, of Western Grove, Arkansas, passed away at the Springs of Mt. Vista in Harrison on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

The son of Joseph Walaconis and Vivian Elvira (Arnold) Walaconis was born on January 3, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Richard was a quiet man and kept to himself, but always made time to talk to his neighbors.  He was very intelligent, and he loved to read and study his Bible and other books.  He had a large book collection and was always applying the knowledge he gained with ingenious and inventive ways to build things around his farm.  He created a water system that would move water uphill from a cave spring on his property that allowed him to have running water year-round.

Richard was an avid gardener and loved raising flowers, plants, and bamboo.  He was crafty with using the bamboo he raised with different things around his farm. He knew the scientific names of all the trees, flowers, and plants he raised, including the best ways to care for them. He enjoyed going to yard sales and buying old tools and restoring them to use on his farm.

He was well known for the goats he raised and sold the kids.  He was fond of the animals around his farm, including two terrapin turtles that returned every spring to eat his strawberries.  One of the turtles had only one eye, and he loved seeing it return every year. He walked all over his property raking a path for himself and his goats to walk around.  Richard worked hard and spent time doing odd jobs for people in his community.

He is survived by his friends and many neighbors in the area.

Open visitation will be held on Sunday, July 30 at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison from 2 PM to 4 PM and Monday, July 31 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison.

At his request no funeral service will be held.