Melinda Glezen
Richard Allen Wadsworth, 66, passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on March 7th in Lakeland, Florida.
Richard was born in Ocala, FL on October 11, 1957 to Curtis Daniel Wadsworth and Mary Evelyn (Hill) Wadsworth. He is a 1975 graduate of Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, FL. In 1983, he called his father to give him the good and unexpected news that he just finished boot camp and was graduating into the United States Marine Corps. Richard proudly served during Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. During his service he traveled throughout Southwest Asia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Spain, France, and visited as many places as possible along the way. He loved to explore, visit, learn and trade with everyone he came across. Richard moved extensively and resided in Florida, Japan, Missouri, Hawaii, North Carolina, and California. He retired as a Gunnery Sgt. after 20 years of service in 2003.
The moment Richard walked into a room everyone knew he was there. His charisma, deep laugh and larger than life personality drew everyone in the room to him. Richard had a very large and beautiful heart. He would never hesitate to help anyone who needed a helping hand and would never expect anything in return. He took everyone he came near under his wing and formed many long-lasting relationships with his brothers-in-arms, and often visited with fellow veterans to share their life experiences.
Many know how much Richard loved animals. A trait that flows strong in this family. He would tell countless stories of his many furry family members; His chow-chow who refused to allow him to set next to his wife when he returned home from overseas, his wolf mix that would run around the house and jump up and snatch his cigarette from his mouth before he could get a second puff and last but not least, his cat Seth, who would make his presents known, demand countless task of his human father, and most importantly made sure he had a spot to lay next to or on Richard when it was nap time.
Richard was an avid artist throughout life. He was extremely creative and loved working out of the box. A few of his creations included designing music posters, carving a silhouette of his daughter, Christina, out of cedar, drawing pictures for his son, Christopher and Christina to color in, and creating a Jack Daniels lampshade stand using found materials. He was always fascinated with the diversity of art around the world and always kept an eye out for his next project. He also enjoyed collecting antique guns and knives admiring their craftsmanship and origin.
Richard is survived by his parents Curtis Daniel and Mary Evelyn (Hill) Wadsworth, daughter Christina and her husband Billy McCreless, son Christopher Wadsworth, sister Nancy and brother-in-law Tom Proctor, brother Clayton, niece Selby Proctor and many cousins.
While we lost our beloved father, son, brother, many have lost a friend and loved one in him. He has been a rock to many, a master at sarcastic humor and witty timing to others, and even a glorious pain in the neck, to what I'm sure is a small select few (because no matter what happened between you in your lives, once you were marked as important to him, he'd be by your side if you needed him). There was so much more to him than just dad, he was also a friend, a colleague, a cousin, brother, stand-in paternal figure to the fatherless, a handyman, artist, the list goes on and on. Knowing Richard, he would want us to laugh, reminisce and smile together during this time.
“Later gator! I love you.” – Richard Wadsworth
“Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.”
-Vicki Harrison
Richard was born in Ocala, FL on October 11, 1957 to Curtis Daniel Wadsworth and Mary Evelyn (Hill) Wadsworth. He is a 1975 graduate of Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, FL. In 1983, he called his father to give him the good and unexpected news that he just finished boot camp and was graduating into the United States Marine Corps. Richard proudly served during Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. During his service he traveled throughout Southwest Asia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Spain, France, and visited as many places as possible along the way. He loved to explore, visit, learn and trade with everyone he came across. Richard moved extensively and resided in Florida, Japan, Missouri, Hawaii, North Carolina, and California. He retired as a Gunnery Sgt. after 20 years of service in 2003.
The moment Richard walked into a room everyone knew he was there. His charisma, deep laugh and larger than life personality drew everyone in the room to him. Richard had a very large and beautiful heart. He would never hesitate to help anyone who needed a helping hand and would never expect anything in return. He took everyone he came near under his wing and formed many long-lasting relationships with his brothers-in-arms, and often visited with fellow veterans to share their life experiences.
Many know how much Richard loved animals. A trait that flows strong in this family. He would tell countless stories of his many furry family members; His chow-chow who refused to allow him to set next to his wife when he returned home from overseas, his wolf mix that would run around the house and jump up and snatch his cigarette from his mouth before he could get a second puff and last but not least, his cat Seth, who would make his presents known, demand countless task of his human father, and most importantly made sure he had a spot to lay next to or on Richard when it was nap time.
Richard was an avid artist throughout life. He was extremely creative and loved working out of the box. A few of his creations included designing music posters, carving a silhouette of his daughter, Christina, out of cedar, drawing pictures for his son, Christopher and Christina to color in, and creating a Jack Daniels lampshade stand using found materials. He was always fascinated with the diversity of art around the world and always kept an eye out for his next project. He also enjoyed collecting antique guns and knives admiring their craftsmanship and origin.
Richard is survived by his parents Curtis Daniel and Mary Evelyn (Hill) Wadsworth, daughter Christina and her husband Billy McCreless, son Christopher Wadsworth, sister Nancy and brother-in-law Tom Proctor, brother Clayton, niece Selby Proctor and many cousins.
While we lost our beloved father, son, brother, many have lost a friend and loved one in him. He has been a rock to many, a master at sarcastic humor and witty timing to others, and even a glorious pain in the neck, to what I'm sure is a small select few (because no matter what happened between you in your lives, once you were marked as important to him, he'd be by your side if you needed him). There was so much more to him than just dad, he was also a friend, a colleague, a cousin, brother, stand-in paternal figure to the fatherless, a handyman, artist, the list goes on and on. Knowing Richard, he would want us to laugh, reminisce and smile together during this time.
“Later gator! I love you.” – Richard Wadsworth
“Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.”
-Vicki Harrison
