Jerry Allen Richards

Jerry Allen Richards was born on April 17th, 1949, in Alpharetta, Georgia to Avis Mae and the now late James Lafayette “J. L.” Richards. The facts of his early years tell of a man determined to make for himself the life that he wanted. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1971 with a degree in chemical engineering, and in 1972 with a degree in meteorology from the University of Utah, after which he entered the Air Force as a meteorologist to fulfill his ROTC commitment. 1974 began a long career as part of Celanese/Hoechst Celanese, through which he lived in a variety of cities and had the opportunity to see the world, traveling through Europe, South America, and Asia. From all of these places, especially Asia, which Jerry found to be the most enchanting, he returned with physical mementos that dotted the houses in which he lived as visual reminders of the imprint that these lands left upon him.

Then, as now, Alpharetta was country, and to hear him speak was to hear the quilt work of his cultural history: the deepening drawl when he spoke to family back home, echoing his early roots, and the voice that many other friends heard, the milder, ever-warm voice of his broadening years. To all of these places, he brought his humor, his warm, open smile, and his love of adventure and new experiences. Throughout his life, Jerry always took the time to enjoy things he loved: skiing, camping, landscaping and reading. After retiring in 2000, he was able to give more time to his family and the travel he so enjoyed.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years Alicia Barbieri Richards; their daughter, Samantha Maria Richards, of Matthews, NC; mother and step-father, Avis and Elip Spence, of Alpharetta, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Stan and Peggy Richards, of Saint Simon's Island, GA; nieces, Jacqueline Tait Richards and Kathleen Hoyt Richards and nephew, Brian James Richards, as well as a host of friends, cousins and extended family.

Those who remain will remember him as many things: an engineer, always a clever solution up his sleeve, an explorer, an open-minded thinker, and a friend: a man who cared deeply for those he knew, who loved many, who was loved by many, and who unwaveringly understood that life was to be enjoyed.

His family will greet friends on Thursday, Aug. 14th, from 12p.m.-2p.m. at the McEwen-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, followed by his memorial service at 2p.m.