Paul Edward Richards

Paul Edward Richards, born April 15, 1947, also known as “Snuffy” to all his J.M. Tate High School friends, died peacefully in his sleep, Sept 1, 2020. Paul had been ill since contracting the COVID 19 virus in June. Paul lived in Cantonment most of his life except for the time he served in the US Navy as well as a time when he lived in Houston, Texas. That is when he fell in love with the Houston Oilers. Talk about a fan!! He would sing the Houston Oilers song all the time. His other great love was NASCAR!! Richard Petty was his guy. But most of all, Paul was a golfer. He absolutely loved everything about the game. Although, he did tend to move his ball a little to the left or a little to the right setting it up for a good shot. One of his last texts was that he wished he could just play one more round of golf. Outside of sports, his passion was karaoke. He loved to sing and shared his passion with us many times. He recorded his favorite country western songs and now, when we are sad and missing him, we can listen to his songs. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Newton Richards, his mother, Mary Madeline Martin Richards, his uncle, Ralph James Silva, his aunts, Anna Alice Silva Nelson, Mary Mabel Silva Rhyne, his nephew, John Robert Byrnes, Jr. and his niece, Stephanie Silva. He leaves behind his sisters Madeline Estelle Byrnes of Long Beach, California, Mary Isabel Summerlin of Cantonment, Florida, and his brothers Marvin Newton Richards, Jr. (Ashby) of New Orleans, Louisiana and William Brian Richards (Linda) of Atlanta, Georgia and aunt, Geraldyn Goodnight Silva of Dallas, Texas. He has many nephews and nieces as well as grand and great-grand nephews and nieces to remember him. Paul is loved and we will miss him tremendously. Paul’s family extended to his church as well. Paul was a part of the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church family in Cantonment and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Pancake breakfasts, calling Bingo, and playing Santa were his favorite things to do. He loved his church and missed everyone so much. Paul had such faith in God and to help him along the way, Father Tom and Father George were there to guide him. The family would like to thank the staff of Grandview Retirement Center for taking care of Paul in his final months. He moved there in November and was making a lot of friends. Once the virus hit and we could no longer visit, everyone kept us informed of Paul’s wellbeing. The Sacred Heart COVID-19 doctors and nurses were extremely helpful as well as the DeLuna Rehabilitation Center and finally, Bayside Rehabilitation of Pensacola where he spent his final days ..thank you to all. Please note that since we are still in this epidemic, we have decided to honor Paul with a graveside service for immediate family and invited church family only. Memorial gifts may be made online to First Tee at: https://firsttee.org/donate. Or, to Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus. Santa Maria Council, #7402 Be Not Afraid, Paul. We love and miss you so much. You are now at peace with our Lord, hitting the links with Bigdaddy, and having a family reunion. See you later. You shall cross the barren desert But you shall not die of thirst You shall wander far in safety Though you do not know the way You shall speak your words to foreign men And they will understand You shall see the face of God and live Be not afraid I go before you always Come, follow me and I will give you rest American Roman Catholic seminarian Robert (Bob) Dufford SJ (1970) Contact Faith Chapel for information.

Tributes

Paul Edward Richards

April 15, 1947 - September 1, 2020