Fred Richards, 89, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at the Selma Markowitz Hospice Center. He was born November 6, 1935 in Hancock County, Kentucky in the village of Roseville to Huber and Edith (Burdette) Richards.

Fred attended grade school in Hawesville and later graduated high school in Evansville, Indiana in 1953. He served 8 years in the military, 4 years in the Navy and then 4 years in the Air Force. After the military he worked 2 years at North American Aviation in Columbus and then 23 years at Newark Air Force Station as a Minuteman Missile Guidance Technician.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Brenda Joyce (Smith) Richards; 2 sisters, Linda Sue (Richard) Treptow and Mary (Earcle) Chappell; 3 sons, Deke (Brenda), Clint and Scott Darby (Linda); four grandchildren, Keith (Haley), James, Teal (Bryan) and Alex (Caleb); 8 great grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; and 4 step great great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 19, 2025 from 11-1 pm at the Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home where the funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm with Pastor Roger Conley officiating. Burial will follow the service at Cedar Hill Cemetery where military honors will be presented by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.