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Charles Edward Richards, Jr.
September 14, 1929 - July 28, 2007
Charles Edward Richards, Jr., 77, of S. Maple Avenue, Clarksburg, and formerly of Columbus, OH, passed away at his home Saturday evening, July 28, 2007, after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Clarksburg on September 14, 1929, a loving son of the late Charles E. and Geneva Marshall Richards.
He met his first wife, Helga Inge Garmeister, while stationed in Germany. They were married for fourteen years and had five children. She passed away February 24, 2007. He met his second wife, Catherine Lucinda (Kay) Casto, at Smith Chapel Church. They were married for 29 years, and she preceded him in death on August 10, 2000.
Chuck is survived by his 3 sons, Donald K. Richards and his wife Bonnie, Columbus, OH; Charles E. Richards Jr. and his wife Vicky, Fayetteville, NC; and David A. Richards and his fiancé Julie Dorsey, Clarksburg; 2 daughters, Melinda Richards, Worthington, OH; and Malanie Beltran and her husband Frank, San Antonio, TX; Kris LeMaster of Galloway, OH, whom he loved as a son; 11 grandchildren, Adam Richards; Jennifer Richards; Chaz Richards; Jeremy Richards; Justin Richards; Jamie Richards; Sarah Richards; Elisabeth and Kristina Beltran; Jared Coe; Jacob Coe; and 7 great-grandchildren. His twin sister, Charleen Richards, Bridgeport; 3 brothers, Okey Richards and his wife Betty, Heath, OH; Jim Richards and his wife Pat, Fairmont; and Jack Richards and his wife Marlene, Weirton; and several nieces and nephews complete the family.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty Lou Yoho, of Copperas Cove, TX, on May 8, 2007.
Chuck was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1948, and served in the US Navy from 1951 – 54. He retired from Richards Construction and Plumbing in 1992.
He was a faithful, adoring member of Gods Word of Life Church, where Chuck treasured the friendship with his Pastor, Marty Basil. He enjoyed sports, most of all the Mountaineers, and he loved to hunt and enjoyed fishing. He enjoyed good music and loved to dance. He loved life but most of all he loved his family.
He was a loving father, brother, husband, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was a kind, gentle loving man who had a heart of gold. To know him was to love him for he touched everyone he knew. He was a proud man who loved life and believed strongly in his faith, and with that he never faltered. His faith and his family were his strength and yet through it all he kept his sense of humor. He could make you laugh even though you wanted to cry up to the very end. May he continue to live on within our hearts and memories forever. He was a true gift from God, one of His greatest treasures. God wanted him now, He set him free.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to People’s Hospice, P.O. Box 1680, Clarksburg, WV 26302
Friends may call at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm. On Thursday, Mr. Richards will lie in state at God’s Word of Life Church, Rt. 3, Bridgeport, from 10 – 11 am, where services will be held at 11 am with Pastor Marty Basil presiding. Interment will follow in Bridgeport Cemetery.