Lt. Richard F. "Dick" Suddarth Sr., Retired N.C. State Highway Patrol, age 83, died on December 17, 2020. He was born in High Point, NC to Richard Francis and Ella "Betty" Suddarth, and spent his early years in Sanford, NC . Dick served two years in the Army National Guard, four years in the U.S. Navy and 34 years with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He served as trainer in the Highway Patrol Training Center and at the School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill and worked security for several North Carolina Governors. He spent much of his career in the Internal Affairs Department of the patrol. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B. Hunt in 1983. He retired from the patrol in 1990. In retirement, he was a Mason with Masonic Lodge # 198 in Cary and enjoyed traveling with friends and attending Greenwood Forest Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife of 32 years, Mona Pipkin Suddarth. He is survived by his son, Richard F. Suddarth, Jr., wife April, and granddaughters Lauren and Andrea; daughter Michelle Suddarth Camarena, and husband Paul; his brother Donald R. Suddarth, wife Joan, and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his cherished companion of 25 years, Bonnie Russell Rogers and her children and grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.
Due to the pandemic, no public visitation will be held. A private graveside service will be held for immediate family members. Burial to take place at Raleigh Memorial Park, with honors by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Memorial contributions may be sent to The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565 or to the SECU Hospice House 426 Hospital Rd, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Special thanks to Dr. Mark Yoffe and his staff at Rex Hematology/Oncology Associates and to the SECU Hospice House staff for their excellent and compassionate care.
View tribute slideshow at: https://youtu.be/TLp9b2iNAMY
