Richard Orville Gast, Jr., born on May 16, 1942, in Pawtucket, RI, to Lauretta and Richard Orville Gast, Sr., peacefully passed away on December 18, 2023, in Beaumont, TX. He proudly served in the United States Navy and later retired from Shaw Engineering as a Senior Mechanical Engineer.
A true man's man, Richard enjoyed a life filled with adventure and purpose. His hobbies included fishing, hunting for deer, elk, pheasant, and dove. He found joy in clay shooting and held a special admiration for the legendary John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Lauretta Gast, his beloved wife Lillian Ruby Gast, his son Richard Orville Gast III, daughter Lisa Renee Gassiott, and brother Stewart Gast.
He is survived by his sons, John Richard Gast and his wife Margaret of Houston, TX, and Jack Edward Burnett, Jr. of Vidor, TX; daughters Pamela Sue Anderson of Palestine, TX, Carla Kay Prescott and her husband Jonathan of Portland, TX, and Rhonda Lynn Pate and her husband Ronny of Fred, TX. Richard is also survived by his brother Gary Gast and his wife Carol of Cape Coral, FL, and sister Dawn Lauretta Gast of Pawtucket, RI.
In addition to his immediate family, Richard leaves behind a legacy through his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during visitation on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, located at 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont, TX 77703. A Celebration of Richard's Life will follow on December 22, 2023, at 10 am at the same location.
Richard will be laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where he will join his beloved wife Lillian in eternal peace. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
