Richard Donald Lanctot

Richard D. Lanctot of Huntsville, AL went to be with his Lord and savior on November 27th, 2024. He was 91 years of age. Richard was born in Skowhegan, Maine on January 17th, 1933, to William H. and Elize M. (Thibault) Lanctot. Richard went on active duty in the United States Army on January 27th, 1953. During his service, he was stationed in Germany, Africa, Turkey, and Korea, during the Korean Conflict. He received numerous awards among them the Meritorious Presidential Unit Citation.

While serving stateside, he was stationed at Redstone Arsenal where he met and married Edith J. Steakley on June 22, 1957, in Corinth, Mississippi. Together they raised 2 daughters Tammy Elize and Cathy Diane as well as three stepchildren, Robert Claunch Jr., Gail (Claunch) Lindsey, and Kathy (Claunch) King.

During his service, he worked in the Medical Corp. Richard retired from the United States Army on May 31, 1973. After his retirement, he and Edith settled in Huntsville, Al where he worked as a butcher, trained on heavy construction equipment, and at the United States Post Office, which he retired from after 20 years of service. He was a member of Heritage Baptist church and later Whitesburg Baptist Church, where he served as a bus driver.

Edith passed away of a lengthy illness on March 9th, 1987. Richard then married Fairy Ray on November 26th, 1987. Fairy also passed away of a lengthy illness in November 1997. He was again united in marriage to his current wife Ruth Messer on July 10th,1999.

In addition to his wives, Richard was preceded in death by his daughter Tammy E. Lanctot, his parents William and Elize Lanctot, brothers James (Sonya) Lanctot, Felix (Pauline) Lanctot, and John (Joyce) Lanctot, sisters Phildora (Lucian) LaPointe, Flavie (Eugene) Swaim, and Helen (Leo) Erickson of Skowhegan, ME, stepdaughters Linda Judd, and Diane (Bill) Clark. His beloved pets Lady, Cuddles, and Misty.

Richard was a loving father and devoted husband. His faith and his family were the most important thing in his life. He had a wonderful sense of humor and made everyone laugh. Richard is survived and will be dearly missed by his family wife; Ruth Lanctot, daughter; Cathy (Nancy) Lanctot of Sheboygan, WI , son-in-law; James (Sharon) Judd, grandchildren; Zachary (Amanda) Judd, Alicia (Chris) Jones and Lily, son; Larry (Melinda) Geiger, grandchildren; Melissa Geiger, Brady (Julia) Geiger, son-in-law; Bill (Diane) Clark, grandchildren; Will (Laura) Clark, William, Naomi, Ben (Lisa) Clark, Silas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes a heartfelt thank you to Gentiva Hospice and Home Care Assistance Huntsville for Richard's care. With special thanks to caregivers Chinenye and Sierra for their care and support for my father and myself. Thanks also to Nancy Seefeldt for her love and support through this time.

A private service will be serviced by Valhalla Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers a donation in his name for Veterans at http://ssv.org serving Alabama Veterans or Greater Huntsville Humane Society http://ghhs.org.