Donald Edward Richards

Donald E. Richards

Donald Edward Richards, 89, of Stanley, died on Friday, March 12, 2021, at Dutch Haven Assisted Living.

He was born on March 2, 1932, in Luray and was a son of the late Joseph Winfield Richards and Minnie Blanch Cloud Richards.

Donald was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served in the Korean War.  He was a former chief of police for the Town of Stanley from 1967- 1969 and a lifetime member of the Stanley Volunteer Fire Department. He retired after 32 years as a security guard for the Virginia Department of Corrections Camp 8 in Linville VA  After he retired he worked part time as a security guard for the New Market Poultry Plant. 

On Oct. 10, 1951, he married Alva Marie Stoneberger Richards, who died on Sept. 1, 1989.

He is survived by his extended family member and caregivers, Sheila and Clyde Miller of Stanley; Todd Dinges, whom he raised like his grandson, along with Todd’s fiancée, Amy Pettit; four great-grandchildren, Cody and Lexie Dinges, and Rylan and Reese Housden; special friends, Jeremy and Pamala Bentley; special nieces, Lenna Marie (Mike Burke), and Mary Ann Cook (Mark Shifflett); a nephew, William Richards Jr.; and numerous other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Ronnie Richards; five brothers, William, Joseph W., Leonard, Beuford “Otis” and James “Demp” Richards; and two sisters, Gertrude Richards & Dessie Richards;

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, at the Mount Zion Cemetery in Luray by John Boyd, with military honors by the American Legion Post 27 of Dayton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 27, P.O. Box 271, Dayton, Va. 22821.

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