Rev. Dr. Porter Berkley Richards Jr., 64, of Mansfield, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Tuesday, June 24, 2014.
Porter was born May 9, 1950 in Whitmer, WV to Porter B., Sr. and Geneva I. (McCloy) Richards. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He received four doctorates and was associated with the Church of God in his ministry. His passion was his ministry and his family. He also enjoyed fishing and collecting knives.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Critchfield; five children, Tracy Richards, Stephanie (Christopher) Clay, and Katie Spencer all of W.V., Tony (Jessica) Richards of Cleveland, and Brian (Kim) Spencer of Defiance; fifteen grandchildren, Steven, Matthew, Anthony, Carissa, Tristan, Leim, Jonathan, Justin, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Miranda, Morgan, Noah, Zachary, and Angela; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mary L. (Reuben) Hamilton and Jeanne (Gordon) Harmon all of Mansfield, and Ruth (Timothy) Hamilton of Birchwood, TN; one brother, Randall K. (Denise) Richards of Bellevue; and Gary Erwin of Mansfield, his lifelong friend ‘til the end.
Porter was preceded in death by his parents.
Calling hours will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2014 at Stewart Road Church of God, 1425 N. Stewart Rd, Mansfield. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the church with Bishop Issac officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman.
Werner-Gompf Funeral Services, LTD. is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.wernergompf.com
I miss my daddy Porter every day he was a good man and will always be in my heart.
The funeral went very well and the barrel was something to remember also. All the folks did a fine job.still to this day I can’t listen to his singing yet.maybe one day I’ll be able too .
Love ya daddy.