David E. Richards

David Earl Richards

                WARSAW- On January 5, 2021, David Earl Richards, age 83 of Warsaw, passed away at Coshocton Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with Covid-19.  The Richards family extends their admiration and gratitude to the doctors and nurses who are sacrificing their safety and well-being in an effort to save others in this unsettling time.

                During their sixty years of marriage, Dave showed his beloved wife Carolyn that happiness and comfort is found not in objects but in the unwavering companionship and unconditional love of a hard-working, decent man and dedicated father.

                Ever the teacher, Dave taught his sons Rusty and Ron they could fix anything be it a leaky faucet, a worn out Chevy truck, or a rusty old tractor.  Along with his mastery of all things mechanical, he passed on his love, and hatred, of the game of golf to both of his sons and his grandson Ryan. He taught his daughter Renee that by simply believing in your children you help them grow to be strong, independent, confident adults—and that girls can do anything boys can do.

                From Dave, his granddaughter Katie and grandson Shayne learned that even a man in his eighties is capable of changing long-held views and appreciating people simply for who they are.  His granddaughter Rachel learned honor is gained from being engaged in the democratic process and speaking truth to power.  His granddaughter Natassja carries her grandfather’s example of kindness and devotion in both her heart and actions.

                In addition to spending time with family, Dave enjoyed playing euchre with his friends at the Elks and countless rounds of golf with the Outlaws.  More than family barbeques, cards and golf, he relished telling tall tales—over and over again.  Anyone fortunate enough to witness one of Dave’s seemingly never-ending stories could count on three things — more beer would be needed to sustain listeners, half of the story would be true, and determining which half would remain forever elusive.

                Dave’s only regret in a life well-lived was that he did not live long enough to ask the guys at Ronnie’s pool hall their thoughts on the U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia and to share his joy over the Browns making the playoffs and the Buckeyes making it to the National Championship.  Surely, Dave would have smiled as he closed the door at Ronnie’s one last time, confident he had convinced everyone inside that more than 4.5 million voters in Georgia and two football powerhouses had planned things this way all along solely to honor Dave Richards, democracy’s and football’s biggest fan.

                Dave honorably served his country as a member of the U.S. Army, and was preceded in death by: Father Robert Paul Richard; Mother Flora Mae (Hagans) Richard; Brother Robert “Bobby” Richard; Father-in-Law James Fry; Mother-in-Law Arah Fry; Brothers-in-Law Robert Mikesell, Herbert Peddicord, James “Sonny” Fry, and Larry Fry; Grandson Jared Winter; and Nephew Rick Peddicord.  Surviving Dave are: his loving wife of 60 years, Carolyn Fry Richards of Warsaw; Sons Rusty (Leslie) Richards of New Castle, and Ron (Debra) Richards of Danville; Daughter Renee Richards Miller of Warsaw; Granddaughters Natassja (Ryan) Conway of Powell, Katie (Arryck) Franks of Powell, and Rachel Richards of Maineville; Grandsons Tristan, Shayne and Aaron (Brittany) Foster; Great Grandchildren Keira and Declan Conway, Kadence and Ajay Franks, Tayler Winter, Aliya Perdue, Isabella and Liam Foster, and Jaylen Lepley; Brother Bill (Lyndia) Richard of Fairborn; Sister Miriam Mikesell of Frazeysburg; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law.

                Due to the global pandemic, a private burial for immediate family only will be held at Valley View Cemetery, Warsaw, with Pastor Ashley McMillin officiating.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date when family and friends are able to safely gather.  The Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw is handling arrangements. www.fischerfuneralhome.com

                In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the River View Athletic Boosters, 26496 OH-60, Warsaw, OH 43844.

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