Eduardo Sylvestre Richards

Eduardo Sylvestre Richards, passed away on Saturday January 21, 2023 at the age of 77.  He is deeply missed by his family and a countless number of friends.

Eduardo was born, in Panama City, Panama on August 22, 1945, to mother Leona May Bowen Richards and father James Richards.  Eduardo was the fourth of nine children for the couple. Eduardo grew up in the Calle Estudiante area of Panama City in a community known as Patio Rochet (Rochet Yard). He spent his formative years living in Patio Rochet where he attended primary and secondary schools. After secondary school he attended Instituto Tecnologico Robaldo Diesel, a trade school where he became certified in HVAC. Eduardo met Jean A Griffith in 1962 and began a relationship and they were married in 1969. Three children were born of their union. A number of years later, Eduardo would go on to have a fourth child. Seeking a better life for his family, Eduardo, after a chance opportunity to travel to the United States, joined the US Army. Eduardo would become naturalized as a US citizen shortly thereafter in 1969. He proudly served his country in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. A dedicated solder, he received numerous awards and accolades for his service. He retired as a Master Sergeant (E8) in 1991 after 22 years of active-duty service. Eduardo followed up his military service with a second career working for the State of California as manager of the dining hall in California’s correctional facilities employing inmates and acting as a mentor. He retired from the state of California in 2011. Throughout his military career Eduardo was able to travel to and live in several different states and countries. Eduardo loved his final duty station in Fort Ord California and remained living in California for 24 years before moving to Charlotte, NC for the latter 10 years of his life.

Eduardo will be remembered by his family and friends as a man who loved to have a great time. He loved to party and laugh with friends who affectionately referred to him as “Lion.”  Eduardo loved being a grandfather, he would get down on the ground, play with his grandsons, and give his granddaughters anything they asked for. Eduardo was very generous, and if you told him, you liked the shirt/hat/shoes he was wearing, he was known for taking it right off and giving it to you. Eduardo’s favorite past times were watching baseball and fútbol and eating seafood. His most favorite past time of all was dancing. He loved to dance and was in fact the best dancer we all knew.

Eduardo is preceded in death by his loving parents Leona May Richards (2012), James Richards (2014), his siblings Gloria Richards (in infancy), Delano Richards, Clifford (Harold) Bowen (2008), Virginia (Jean) Williams (2013). Eduardo is survived by his beloved life partner Jean A Richards, his four children Eduardo S Richards Jr., Hector A Richards (Sharon), Carla A Hinton, Mohammar E Richards, his grandchildren Ashleigh Clokes (Chance), Eduardo S Richards III, Alexis Kinney (Roy), Shawn Freeman, Allanah Richards, Makenna Hinton, Neville Hinton, his great-grandchildren Kennedy Scott, Kamryn Scott,  Channing Clokes, and his siblings Viola Beckford, Thelma Richards, Carla Richards, and Ernesto Richards.

Military Aawrds and Accolades: Army Service Ribbon//National Defense Service Medal w/One Bronze Service Star//Army Good Conduct Medal (Seventh Award)//Overseas Service bars (2)//Vietnam Service Medal//Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm//Overseas Service Ribbon (4)//Meritorious Service Medal (Third Oak Leaf Cluster)//Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3)//Army Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster)//Army Achievement Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster)//Expert Badge with Rifle Component Bar//Humanitarian Service Medal (New Life/New Arrivals)//10+7+4.