Charles William Richards, III | obituaries

Mr. Richards was born on September 16, 1932 in Woodville, Texas to the late Charles William Richards, Jr. and the late Myrtis Lucille Gaston Richards. He attended school in Alabama and after a year at Auburn University volunteered for military service in Korea. He was discharged in 1954 and entered the University of Alabama, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering. Charles also holds degrees in Mathematics/Physics from Athens College and an MBA with honors from Pepperdine University where he received his Masters. He is a Freemason and a life member of the Methodist Church.

In 1959 he accepted a job as a test engineer at Thiokol Chemical Company in Huntsville, Alabama. Charlie went to Northrup Corporation for a time and then to The Boeing Company. After two years of missile simulation programs, he joined Lockheed Missiles and Space in Houston. Charlie donated a full set of patches like those worn by astronauts on space missions to Discover Park of America. They are on display there.

Other work experience includes Philco-Ford, Rockwell International of Anaheim, California, Illumination Industries as President and Compumotor, a division of Parker-Hannifin, as Vice President.

In 1979 he met Nancy Barry James in Mountain View, California and they married in 1982. His diverse work experience prepared him well to start his own successful business, Western Technology Marketing, in 1983. Charlie was loved by everyone and greatly respected for working for and with him.

In 1999, Charlie and Nancy moved to Union City, Tennessee. After his retirement, he became an avid gardener and shared all his fruits and vegetables with family, friends, and assisted living organizations. He loved playing bridge, watching football games in Alabama, and spending time in the kitchen cooking for family and friends.

Charlie was a very generous person who always looked for ways to help others. All grandchildren adored him and were very grateful for the advice they received for their education and career. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Richards; three daughters, Karla Richards Williams and Karen Richards, both of Morgan Hill, California, and Lisa Moser and her husband Mark of Emerald Hills, California; two stepdaughters, Nancy Jo Yarbrough and her husband Sonny and Jenna Glasgow and her husband Jim, all from Union City; a stepson, Dr. Bill James of Dyersburg; 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents, Mr. Richards was preceded in death by a stepson, Barry James; two sisters, dr. Lucille Moore and Rose Scott; and a brother, Joe Thomas Richards.

Instead of flowers, memorials can be made for a charity of your choice.