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As part of the Memorial fund we are collecting for his family, this would be a good opportunity for us to share memories and stories about Richard. That way when we give the money to the family, we can include each of your thoughts, memories, and prayers. Please share these below.
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Brian Parker
Dear Friends:Growing up I played a lot of basketball with Richard, and later, adult softball. From Jr. High on Richard was an awesome competitor, always ready to step up and make things happen. CSHS Football was no different. Standing tall on the field, #88 was quick, hard hitting, tenacious, and a real driving force. Inspirational. True Grit.
Early on Richard was getting it right, as a boy he was Order of the Arrows, National Honor Society for Boy Scouts; and for several years after HS he still held many of CSHS's Archery records. But Richard really wanted to be a great Father. Psalms 127:3-6, 'Children are a gift from God. Children born to a young man are like sharp Arrows to defend him. Happy is the man who has his Quiver full of them.' Richard and his Children absolutely adored one another! His Children used to joke he loved them as much as he loved his car.
We crossed paths alot at work, too. We shared many of the same Big Box Accounts, wore different hats but we were on the same team. The last I saw Richard though was right around Christmas. He traded me a Pepsi golf jacket for one from a Winery. I wear that Pepsi jacket a lot. Catching up with Richard was always like a big surprise, he had that way about him.
Talking we always hit the highlights, we shared about what mattered most to us, Family and Faith. His great looking, very outgoing and multi-talented Children were always a HUGE, HUGE spark to his every day... to Richard they were of one mind and heart together. Richard's 15 minute Bible Studies with his Children usually lasted an hour or more. Sometimes they met on the mountain. Matthew 5:1-6
His growing Faith was deeply rooted in his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Richard knew Jesus was his Savior. And Jesus knew Richard by his name, too. Psalms 23 - God is Blessing Richard right now, and all his Family he loves and holds close to his mighty heart. Richard was a Gentle Warrior for his Children. God Bless you, Meghan and Josh and Trey!
'Through the storm you do not walk alone. When you go through deep waters, and great trouble I will be with you,' Isaiah 43:2. Dear Lord we ask you to use Your perfect love to light his Children's way now and warm every corner of their hearts. Encourage them, may your Peace be their peace. Remind them Richard's friends are their friends now.
More than ever let Richard's Faith be an encouragement and a Blessing to all of us... We pray every Daughter & Son, Brother & Sister, Mother & Father, every Friend be lifted up high by our thoughts and Prayers for them. Give everyone the strength and fortitude they need to endure this time, and keep filling their cups full of Hope. Your love endures forever. Psalms 136:4
Lord, console and heal Meghan, Josh & Trey's hearts, and shower everyone with Your loving tender mercies. More than anything else in this world Richard wanted to be a Great Dad; he succeded! Malachi 4:6 All of Richard's Family needs to know how much we care for them, and that we are always in Your hands, no matter what else! Amen.
The Apprentice.
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* Wednesdy afternoon, I discovered this in part on Roanoke.com. Loving expressions like these are what I have been needing to focus on most right now:
... those close to Fleshman spoke fondly in their recollections.
His ex-wife, Cindy Francisco, remembered him as a loving father to their three children, ranging in ages from 17 to 21. "He always stayed involved with them," she said.
Fleshman's sister, Sharon St. Clair of Manassas, said, "God was an important thing in his life." She said her brother had been saved.
Another sister, Cindy Edmonds, didn't want to talk in detail. "Ask that people pray for us," she said.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/160234 (RTWN)
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* and Thursday morning, Roanoke.com I found this link to Richard's obituary information:
//www.legacy.com/roanoke/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=108803781 - Sign the Guest Book!
* Friday. I called Oakey's North Chapel (540-362-1237), Richard's Family will receive Saturday 2-4, and 6-8. His funeral is 3 o'clock Sunday, Oakey's North.
Peace be with you all...
Mike Alderson
I am so sorry to hear about Richie. I played basketball with him for 2 years back back in Junior High. It was in the county rec league. Our team was the Clearbrook Braves & we were coached by his Dad. The 1st year we stunk and the next we were really good. Richie was our point guard. He was a very nice guy who seemed to get along with everyone. His Dad was cool too. Man, this is really a bummer.Brian Parker
*Almost 3 o'clock here at Oakey's, its an absolutely beautiful day here in the Roanoke Valley. I need to be getting inside but I'm having a huge Richard moment right now. Like a big 'ol billboard his 18-wheel Pepsi truck is parked out back. People keep streaming in. I cued up this song about Richard that keeps going around in my head, Green Grass & High Tides Forever:'In a place you only dream of
Where your soul is always free
Silver stages, golden curtains
Filled my head, plain as can be
As a rainbow grew around the sun
All the stars I've love who died
Came from somewhere beyond the scene you see
These lovely people played just for me
Now if I let you see this place
Where stories all ring true
Will you let me past your face
To see what's really you
It's not for me I ask these questions
As though I were a king
For you have to love, believe and feel
Before the burst of tambourines take you there
Green grass and high tides forever
Castles of stone souls and glory
Lost faces say we adore you
As kings and queens bow and play for you
Those who don't believe me
God save their souls and set them free
Those who do, believe and love
As time will be your key
Time and time again I've thanked Him
For a piece of mind
He helped me find myself
Amongst the music and the rhyme
That enchants You there,
Green grass and high tides forever!'
Hearing this song helps me realize why Richard is who he is. He loved his Southern Rock 'N Roll, Green Grass & High Tides Forever,... I can only imagine the Heaven you are seeing right now. Buddy, I am so glad you've made it Home!!
(You won't believe this, I just got out of my car and inside I can hear them playing Sweet Home Alabama. This is gonna be something really special...)
We love you, Richard!
Timothy Carroll
I lost touch with Rich after High School but came back into contact with him about five years ago. We played softball on the same championship team for several years along with his son Trey. Rich was a fine man and good friend. I was attempting to help him get a job with one of the three valley Fire Departments just prior to his death as he was interested in a career change.
I have a child the same age as Trey and being around Rich and Trey together it was obvious they were connected at the hip. I can't imagine what his family and children must be going thru right now, God be with them.
Overwhelming in many other ways for me as well.
Jeanne Worrell (Bell)
May 5, 2008I have thought about Richard and his family all day today. I know in my heart that Richard is now with our Lord. He will always be that sweet, funny friend that I knew from school. I wish his children happy memories of thier Father.Remember he will always walk with you no matter where you go in life. He will be missed by many...God Bless, Jeanne
Dorothy Harmon (Mabe)
Meghan, Josh and Trey,I too lost touch with Richard after high school. Our/Richard's graduating class has gotten back together online recently and the memories have been coming back daily.
I recently had a dream of those days and wanted to share what I remember of Rich when he was about Meghan's age.
I have tried to recall how many years we were in school together but cannot get back that far, but I do remember him in 10th-12th grades like it was yesterday.
In 10th grade he looked so much like Trey in the face, I did a double take when I saw the photo Richard posted.
He was average height then, with a head of wavy brownish blonde hair that he was never quite in control of.
I can see him ambling up the hall almost pigeon toed, never in a big hurry, always with a grin and a shrug of the shoulder when I asked what he was up to.
He must have had a growth spurt that summer, I asked him what your grandparents fed him. He seemed to grow about a foot and bulked up. His days of being quick on the basketball court turned to more baseball and football.
He had a collection of Rugby shirts, I recall a red/yellow stripe, red/blue and his favorite blue and white with a white collar. I can see him leaned against his locker close to mine smiling and saying hey to all that passed before class wearing that shirt with jeans and hightop converse tennis shoes.
His dimples were as deep as his eyes were blue, I see the resemblance in all 3 of you.
He was not always the instigator but would follow into a practical joke in a heartbeat.
He blushed easily when I harrassed him alot. He always would tell me about girls he had crushes on, but being so shy he wouldn't make the first move.
I called him Fleshdog... and he was the kind of friend that would listen to anything from my boyfriend problems to our history homework.
Senior year he was suddenly one of the biggest guys I knew and he really got into football, plus he finally got his confidence together and started asking out the girls he was afraid of the 2 years before. Then in a flash we graduated.
I am so proud to see what a great man my high school bud grew into, and so hurt that he was taken from you so tragically.
You kids seem so much like him and from all I have heard, you were his stars.
To keep him close to your heart is to keep him close in your memories.
Some day the tears will turn to smiles as the memories sharpen when the pain starts to fade.
His love will be with you always, please continue to make him so proud.
Sincerely, Dorothy Harmon Mabe
Laurie Bugner (Kerr)
I have many of the same memories of Richard as Dorothy. We weren't best friends but we had a study hall together our Senior year so we talked daily.I can't remember details of our conversations but he always smiled alot and seemed to always be in a good mood. He was one of the few people who actually called me Laurie!Jay Peery
I really was saddened by his passing.I never really kept in touch after graduation, but it sounds like he did alright,and was a fine man.What I will always remember about him is that he was my backup on the football team. He pushed me to be a better player.He was a hell of a player in his own right, and probably better than me!I never called him Richard, but a nic name Flesh-dogg, and he just called me Peery.I can still remeber that like it was yesterday!All my prayers are with his family,and take comfort in knowing that he is in a much better place.In memory of a freind,
Jay Peery