Richard Gene Garrigues (March 12, 1934 – May 1, 2024) passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Ocala, Florida. As a dedicated Christian at the United Methodist Church, he is now with his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Dick” was born in Winamac, Indiana to Charles Howard Garrigues and Lois Ada Johnson and graduated from Medaryville High School in 1952. He was a true patriot and proudly served in the US Army and Reserves. For the next 28 years Dick worked at IBM and could always be found with a calculator and pen in his pocket. He was well known as being the “calm in the storm” and an expert problem solver. He started his career as a Stock Clerk and retired as a Procurement Manager reporting directly to the CEO. However, his business ventures did not stop there. In his “spare” time over the years Dick owned 2 chicken farms, with an interest in 2 others, at one time being the largest independent chicken farmer in the state of Georgia. He was an avid lover of classic and sports cars, owning many and was also co-owner of a Rolls Royce parts, restoration, and distributor business.
Dick enjoyed many hobbies, the most notable being a private pilot for 54 years having owned 11 different airplanes. He was also a world traveler, having visited many countries in Europe, South and Central America both by plane and RV. Dick was farm raised and built his first home by hand. Dick lived throughout the US in Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, with a summer cabin in Mercer, Wisconsin where many wonderful family memories were made. Most importantly, Dick (a.k.a. “Freddy the Frog”) was a loving and patient father with an incredible talent for storytelling and witty sense of humor.
Dick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marlene Garrigues. To say that his Marlene was his life partner would be an understatement. Every accomplishment he had was a shared one. For everyone who knew them, or even met them for the first time, they truly defined a great friendship and marriage. To live like they did by working, traveling, and planning their future to fulfillment together is really a testimony to their willingness to forgive, grow and love each other.
He is also survived by his children Bradley (Debra) Richards, Gregory (Amy Spies) Richards, Richard (Kathy) Pishotta, Linda (Ian) Innes, Gina (Andy) Brawand, and David (Jessica Kelly) Garrigues along with 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He is predeceased by his parents Charles and Lois Garrigues, his brother William “Billy” Garrigues, their son, Judson Richards, and grandsons Johan Richards and Gregory Shropshire.