George Clayton Richards Jr.

George Clayton Richards, Jr., beloved husband, father, and Pop-Pop, passed away on December 22, 2015, at the age of 75. He was born on November 5, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Bridgeville, Delaware. He was the son of George Clayton Richards, Sr. and Lilias Lorraine Myer Richards (both deceased).

George completed a course of study, right after high school, at Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois. He also attended the University of Delaware and Drexel University.

George, along with his wife Carol, transferred from Philadelphia to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1969, for a position with Exide Electronics. He retired from Eaton as a Project Manager in 2007.

George was active in Eastern North Carolina Via de Cristo. He and Carol attended Mixed Cursillo No. 3 as guests. Over the years George served on several teams and then as Rector for Mixed Cursillo No. 8 in 1985.

George loved studying the Word with Community Bible Study. When he was no longer able to attend the study sessions, he served on the Prayer Team praying daily for the entire group.

George was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Raleigh. He served as Treasurer and then as President of the congregation. Over a period of ten years, George was blessed to have coordinated 4,500 meals to serve to homeless folks in Raleigh. He served the homeless at the Ark Shelter.

George was a long-time member of Raleigh Amateur Radio Society and the American Radio Relay League. His call was WA4EKJ. He also enjoyed attending the local Short Wave Listeners meetings.

Surviving are his wife of almost 51 years (married January 16, 1965) Carol Louise Herb Richards; daughters Allison Lorraine and husband Sherman Lee of Raleigh, Lauren Rae and husband Mark Tombaugh of Apex; grandchildren Gabrielle Hayes and Jonas Tombaugh of Apex, Mackenzie, Shepard, and Delaney Lee of Raleigh; sister Susan R. and husband Clark White of Seaford, Delaware, and brother Kenneth E. and wife Beverly Jean Richards of Greenwood, Delaware. George is also survived by his sister-in-law Nancy E. Aukamp of New Castle, Delaware, and sister-in-law Patricia A. and husband David Sumner of Bear, Delaware, as well as four nieces and seven nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 16, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 5010 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in George's memory may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611 or by going to the website http://pulmonaryfibrosis.donorpages.com/Tribute/GeorgeRichards. Contributions may also be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 5010 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.