DATE: Friday, July 11, 1997                 TAG: 9707110550

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   44 lines

SYLVESTER G. RICHARDSON JR.

Sylvester Goddard Richardson Jr., 70, died July 9, 1997, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Whitinsville, Mass., the son of the late Sylvester G. Richardson Sr. and Ruth Allard Richardson.

He served his country for 25 years in the Navy. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. After retirement from the service, he worked for Sears until he retired in 1993. He was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church; a recipient of the United Methodist Church Cross and Flame; president of the fellowship class; member of the administrative board; and Golden Oldies. He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels. He was in Scouting for more than 50 years and was an Eagle Scout; member of the Order of the Arrow Blue Heron Lodge No. 349; past district commissioner; cubmaster of Pack 180; recipient of one of Scouting's highest honors, the Silver Beaver Award; and many other Scouting awards.

He was a wood badge holder in the Fox Patrol. Throughout his service to Scouting, he always had time for the boys, and was loved and respected by many youths and adults. He was chaplain of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 60 and was the recipient of the Regional Shipmate of the Year for youth activities.

Sylvester is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, E. Claire Richardson; five children, Sylvester G. Richardson III and wife, Lien, of Midwest City, Okla., Sylvia E. Steele and husband Paul of Virginia Beach, Allan J. Richardson and wife, Kathy, of Virginia Beach, Carlton D. Richardson and wife, Tina, of Moyock, N.C., Mark D. Richardson and wife, Dori, of Marietta, Ga.; grandchildren, Kimberly Steele, Brian Steele, Joe Richardson, Jason Richardson, Jessica Richardson, Teresa Richardson, Amber Richardson, Jesse Tompsett, Mia-Lien Pham; two great-grandchildren, Tony Nguyen, Jacob Tompsett; two brothers, Gale C. Richardson and David A. Richardson, both of Shrewsbury, Mass.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today with a Fleet Reserve Association ritual at 7 p.m. in Kellum Funeral Home, Rosewood Chapel. The burial will be private in Rosewood Memorial Park. A celebration of life will be conducted in the funeral home at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 1997. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tidewater Boy Scouts of America or Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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