Larry Benton Richards

Larry Benton Richards completed his journey through this life on December 6, 2024 and is now in his heavenly home with his Savior. He was born November 30, 1940 to GK Richards and Agnes Elders Thorpe in Shreveport Louisiana. He joined the USAF in Dec. 1957 at the age of 17. After Basic Training he was assigned to Toul-Rosie’ Air Base in France for 2 years and Sculthorpe Air Base in England for 1 year. He served at Barksdale Air Force Base during the Cuban Missile Crisis. as Fuel Specialist. His rank at discharge was Senior Master Sargent. In November 1970 he was recommended for a Commission as Active Duty Fuels Officer for Barksdale A.F.B., LA. He was commended for outstanding job and supervisory performance record as Officer in Charge OIC. He said his Air Force service was one of the best decisions he ever made. The training he received in the Air Force helped him achieve positions in the US Postal Service of Fleet Manager for North Louisiana and Fort Myers, FL, and the Southern Region Vehicle Service Center, Memphis, TN where he was instrumental in the selection of the “Long Life Vehicles” that remain in service today. He retired from USPS in November 1993. Larry was a determined individual who choose to be a winner. He quit school to join US Air Force then passed the GED but also went to night school to graduate from Bossier High School with a”real” diploma. He became a leader in all his pursuits of life.

Larry was a military brat on all bases where he lived as a child. He had a paper route as a 10 year old kid and he took his papers to the mess hall with a can to put on top then went through breakfast line with all the recruits. He was noticed by George Steinbrenner who made him the bat boy for the AF team so he got to travel to all the games with the players. He used the hobby building on bases to develop his own photographs. And sometimes he would go to mess hall at supper time and eat ice cream and got in trouble for not eating his supper.

He was a strong Christian and served in several church as Elder, treasurer, leader in Christian Service Brigade Stockade program for mentoring young boys for Christian Manhood. He was the recognized Ping Pong Champion and every teen boy and visiting church speaker’s goal was to take his title.

His hobby was fishing and made bi-annual Florida gulf fishing trips with special friends. He enjoyed cards and table games and was known to stand up in his chair and crow when he won which was often. In later years, he enjoyed helping Kevin on carpentry jobs. He enjoyed traveling. He visited many countries especially Japan and the World War II memorial sites in Europe and Hawaii.

He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, brother Floyd Richards, sister Beverly Phillips, Step-mother Bertie Richards, Step-father Penn Thorpe. He is survived by his wife and love of his life of 63 years, Jeannette Speakes Richards, Sons: Larry Richards Jr (Naomi Ando), of Fukushima, Japan and George Kevin Richards (Jan) of Mountain View, AR, grandson Dale Galloway of Austin, TX, granddaughters Kirby Galloway of Dallas, TX, and Elizabeth Fulbright of Mountain View, AR, special nephew Gary Richards of Norfolk, VA, Brothers-laws Thurmon Speakes of Frierson, LA, Richards Speakes of Shreveport, LA, Homer Speakes of Prachinburi, Thailand, David Speakes of El Centro, CA and Sister-in-law Delores Elliott of Keithville, LA and many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Thanks to special caregivers Amber and Cassie.

Funeral service and burial will be at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery Friday, Dec 20, 2024.