George Russell Richards

George Russell Richards passed away on January 29, 2014 in Charlotte, NC. George was born in Charlotte on January 3, 1924 to William Banks Richards and Georgia Lilly Aycock Richards. He joined the United States Army on his 18th birthday. He served in the Army Air Corps with the 87th Fighter Squadron of the 79th Fighter Group. His unit was attached to the British 8th army under the command of Field Marshall Montgomery. During his enlistment, he rose to the rank of Sergeant. By the time he left the service in August 1945, he had been awarded 10 campaign ribbons as well as a good conduct medal.

George married Vera Louise James on September 14, 1945 in York, SC. He became a tool and die maker and started his own company in the 1950’s. Upon selling the business in the 1970’s, he joined a national company as a foreman. He was active in veterans’ organizations all his life and was commander of the American Legion Post 262 in Charlotte from 1995 to 1997. He often volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Salisbury, NC. He was also a member of the Joppa Masonic Temple Number 530 in Charlotte. He was a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Charlotte.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his 2 brothers – Billy and Jack, as well as his wife of 53 years. He is survived by his daughter Linda Gail Richards Meyer and her husband Larry of Charlotte, his son Don Russell Richards and his wife Deborah Starnes Richards of Clayton, NC as well as his fiancé Avis Sessoms of Charlotte. He is also survived by grandchildren Lieutenant Colonel Russell Dean Meyer and his wife Sherry Gail Cantrell Meyer presently of Hawaii; Robert Gettis Meyer of Union County, NC; Lisa Richards Griffin and her husband Carl Griffin of Wilmington as well as his great grandchildren Ashleigh Griffin, Brandon Griffin and Hanna Griffin all of Wilmington and Rachel Gail Meyer and Amelia Diane Meyer of Hawaii.

The family will receive friends from 1:00pm to 2:00pm Monday, February 3, 2014 in the state room at McEwen Funeral Service – Charlotte Chapel, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212. A funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation at 2:00pm in the chapel at McEwen. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park.