David James Richards' Obituary
David J Richards, 85, of Tacoma, Washington passed away on August 22nd, 2023. He passed peacefully surrounded by family.
Dave was born in 1937 in Rossland, BC, Canada to his parents Pearl and Horace Richards. He was the oldest of 3 sons. Dave immigrated to the United States as a twelve year old boy and settled in Tacoma. He became a U.S. Citizen at 18 and was a proud Submariner in the US Navy. In 1957, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Donna Williams. They were married 67 years, spending most of those years in the house he built near both his and her parents in the Manitou section of Tacoma.
Dave worked 35 years for “the Phone Company” and spent his retirement years working with his son Mike, traveling and sailing with Donna, and spending time with his family and friends.
In his later years he immersed himself in family genealogy further expanding the family he so dearly cherished.
Dave had a great passion for sailing and adventure. He and Donna spent many vacations exploring the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands and became even more adventurous with bareboat sailing trips to Tahiti, Greece and the Caribbean.
He will be remembered by many as a generous, loving man. He had a great sense of humor and always enjoyed clowning around with his brother Jack, they were quite a pair when they got started.
Above all Dave was all about family, often sharing stories about how proud he was of his children and grandchildren. Many remember him as a smiling grandpa on the sidelines of his grandkids sporting events or taking long trips to Arizona to spend time with Mike's family.
Dave was an amazing, loving father to his children Karen, Teri and Mike as well as a fun and playful Grandpa to his four grandchildren, Ryan, Alyson, Tyler and Erin and loving great grandpa to his 6 great-grandkids. He is already deeply missed.
A Memorial service will be held October 6th at 2:00 PM at Manitou Park Presbyterian Church followed by a short reception at the family home.
Donations can be made to Manitou Park Presbyterian Church or March of Dimes in his honor.
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