Charles "Chuck" Richards

Charles Richards, 91 of Farmington, passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Lifecare Center in Farmington. He was born on August 10, 1923 in Hyer, NM to Edmund Burke Richards and Esther (Clifton) Richards. World War II was raging and shortly after graduating from Albuquerque High School, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. where he became a Marine Aviation Mechanic. He was sent to the Pacific Theater to support Corsair pilots in the Philippines, Mindanao, and Emirau. During the Korean Conflict, he kept the Corsairs flying for a year before returning to the United States. Shortly after his return, he switched his career from the Marine Corp. to the U.S. Air Force, where he spent the rest of his military career, retiring in 1965 from Walker Air Force Base in Roswell. He again worked for the U.S. Air Force as a civilian and retired from civil service in 1980. Charles loved hunting, fishing and sharing the outdoor life with his family. He was preceded in death by his wife Wanda Bell Richards in 2007; parents; brothers Paul Richards, Ed Richards, Tom Richards, Cliff Richards, and Bill Richards; and sister Lucille Richards. Charles is survived by his son Jason Mark Richards; daughter Charlotte Bell Richards; brother James Richards; and grandchildren Jason Charles Richards, Amberleigh Lorraine Richards, great-grandchildren, Haley Judith Malone, Jackson Charles Malone, Emily Madison Richards, and Nathan Andrew Richards. Viewing will be from 6-8 pm on Friday, July 17th at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St., in Farmington. Graveside service will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 18 at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 6917 E. Main St., in Farmington with Barbara Richards, daughter-in-law officiating with full military honors being provided by VFW Post #2182 of Farmington. Pallbearers are Rick Tully, Bradley Gass, Casey Trujillo, Justin McMurdo, Earl Jarzomkowski, and Jason C. Richards. Charles is in the care of Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home.