So sorry to hear of Dick's passing.  We have so many good memories of him and your mom.  They are now together watching over you.
May he rest in peace.

The Laronda Family

Dick was my neighbor in Bedford VA as well. I hadn't lived there long, but would work out of town a lot. Larry and Chandra who have posted on here, are my next door neighbors while Dick and Joyce were on the other side of them. If I was gone too long, sometimes Dick would mow my front yard simply because he could. I'd come home to a yard that was nicer than I was accustomed to, and asked if I could pay him. I got him some 7 one time, but he said he never wanted payment. He'd say he only wanted some blackberries. I was surprised at his kindness since I was basically a stranger at first. 

My place had sat empty for a year or so before I bought it, and the old cow pasture had grown way up. Dick saw me slowly hacking and mowing a walk path through the "jungle" and started helping me. Soon we had paths through there and then he would "take Joyce on Safari" as he called it, and he'd stop and pick blackberries. As a result of Dick's help I was able to get everything mowed down to a manageable field ever since. 

He was a very wise and kind man. We lucked out having him as neighbors for the time that we did.

We have lots of fun memories of Dick and Joyce, our former neighbors.  We loved our time with them, wish it could have been longer. But so glad they were able to get back to their family.  Sending our prayers to all of you!  Love, Chandra, Larry, Maya, Ella & Lyla
(The pic is from 2019 when we drug them to a high school band concert & dinner fundraiser. They were such good sports!)

I met Dick Padelford when he purchased Cortez Store in 1987. I was a customer at Cortez since 1960 and loved the Cortez family.  I felt the loss of my favorite former business owners and it took me a while to embrace the new unfamiliar owner who was always picking on me and leaving me shaking my head. 
Soon I began to meet Dick’s sarcasm of me with my own sarcasm of him. It became a frequent ritual to stop at Cortez and match wits with Dick and walk out the door laughing and in a much better mood than when I had walked in.  I grew to enjoy Dick but had always enjoyed Joyce. I often asked how he could have ever convinced Joyce to marry him. Dick always had a quick funny idiotic reply that would leave us both laughing heartily. Dick and I became good friends but we became closer when he and Joyce purchased the Chace Road plaza. 
Dick had a life long history of hard work, integrity and willingness to do whatever was required to be successful. No matter the issue or dilemma, Dick always kept his sense of humor in the forefront. I learned to appreciate that about him and tried to bring that into my own perspectives.
Recently as Dick tired from his illness, we shared a lunch of his favorite Pa Raffa’s pizza and we talked for three hours that felt more like three minutes. We laughed as he shared stories of his life while I shared appreciation of his many accomplishments. He continually talked about his love of his family and friends and of missing Joyce. He told of contentment having lived a full life and of challenging himself to accomplish things he wasn’t sure he could and that he was ready for the coming challenge. Admiring Dick’s courage was easy especially since his humor continued at the forefront of his reflections even as his days dwindled. 
We agreed to share lunch again soon when I departed. Regretfully I didn’t prioritize it correctly. Dick enjoyed the benefit of the best medicine, Laughter, for 84 years. 
God Bless You, Dick
Rest in Peace

I had the opportunity to meet this wonderful person on three very different occasions in my life; When I was a child, he seemed like a warm and caring person. After about twenty-something years, I reconnected with him, and he turned out to be incredibly kind and charismatic. Then, just a few years ago, enjoying his retirement, I saw one of the funniest and most endearing people I've ever known. It's then that you realize you miss that person, his stories, his enthusiasm, and you wonder why there aren't more people like him in the world. I remember Joyce's face, sometimes looking at him with admiration, other times with astonishment, but almost always with affection... We're going to miss you pal.
I feel so lucky to have known you. 

Farewell mi amigo.

Dick was a good friend and neighbor, I always enjoyed his exciting stories and respected his no nonsense approach to life. I feel very fortunate to have been able to spend time with him and Joyce during their years here in Bedford Va.
Peace

Mom & dad at pigeon forge , Tenn … enjoying their retirement exploring the united states

There is so much to be said Richard and only 2000 characters isn’t nearly enough to say it. You and Joyce are two of the best people I know. Everything in my life from that hilarious day we met to the day y’all moved back to Mass, was a new beginning for me that I’ll always remember.  From Joyce sitting in the corner with blanket in lap describing that great new book she was reading to hearing Richard tell stories about his life and Family while drinking 7, 7 and watching the stocks on his laptop. That made for a day (quickly turning to days) that I always looked forward to. I will always cherish my time I spent with Richard and Joyce as I’m sure all his friends and family would know when a man like Richard is around, you’ll have an interesting day. 

Rest in Peace Mr Richards. I’ll always know what you’re thinking right at this moment.😊

OBITUARIO

Richard L. Padelford

2 junio, 1941 – 14 marzo, 2026

Rock Funeral Home

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