Richard Wray Bales Jr.

Richard Wray Bales Jr., (“Rick”), age 61, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, August 19, 2023 after a three year battle with metastatic melanoma. He is survived by his daughter, Erica Bales (Jonathan Quigley); his son, Richard Bales (Jessica Osegueda); his loving partner and longtime friend, Laurie DeLoach; his step-daughter, Tara Miller (Kyle Miller); his three grandchildren, Breckon, McKinleigh and Peyton Miller; his brother Timothy Bales (Cindy Bales); his niece, Ashlee Bales; and his mother, Donna Bales Scott. He is predeceased by his wife, Cindy Bales; his father, Richard Wray Bales Sr.: and his brother, Michael Bales. Rick was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 2, 1961 and moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1973. He attended Sarasota High School and Manatee Community College. He was passionate about science and technology, and was a life-long learner. He had a truly brilliant mind that will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His fascinations with the natural world, medicine, space, and science fiction persisted into the final days of his life. He even enjoyed learning all he could about his own cancer and the complexities of the treatments. He took great pride in participating in clinical trials that would help other patients and contribute to the advancement of melanoma treatment. He loved to watch documentaries and informational TV shows of all kinds, especially on PBS (particularly NOVA). He also enjoyed fishing, miniature woodworking, tinkering and problem-solving in general. There was no problem for which he could not engineer a solution. But most importantly, he loved spending time with his partner, his children and his grandchildren. Throughout his cancer treatment, his attitude was always amazing and inspiring. He was so pragmatic while remaining optimistic. Despite the advanced diagnosis, he always believed in the possibility of remission, and he fought the disease with incredible strength until the very end. He remained relatively healthy for the three years he received treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, and he spent so much quality time with family and friends along the way. We are so grateful for the time we had with him and the close bonds we each shared with him. His family could not be more proud of the man he was: intelligent, honorable, brave and an all-around wonderful person. A private service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PBS or Tidewell Hospice in his honor.