Mr. Richard Arnold Lauderdale, Sr.'s Obituary
A Memorial Service for Mr. Richard Arnold Lauderdale, Sr., 84, of Alexander City, will be Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Faith Temple. Pastor Dick Stark will officiate.
Richard Lauderdale, Sr. passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on June 11, 1939 in Clanton, Alabama to Stillman Lauderdale, Sr. and Lillian Garrett Lauderdale. Richard was a strong, Christian man who attended Faith Temple and is now dancing with his Lord and Savior in Heaven. He was an Auburn football fan, a NASCAR fanatic, and, although he was usually shorter than his competition, Richard was also skilled at basketball in his lifetime. He never met a stranger and seemed to know, or was related to, everybody. Richard also had a unique personality. He was a wise-cracker with a dry sense of humor who would tell wild stories that usually ended with a sly grin to let you know that he had gotten you good.
The legacy he leaves behind includes a devoted wife, life partner, and best friend of 64 years, Jean, and their big family that is overflowing with love, adoration, and stories of a great man. They knew him as a hard worker who loved to hunt, fish, and "fix" things (although it usually ended up in even worse condition than before). Richard, affectionately known as "Papa," thought the world of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was known to document everything whether it was writing or recording. Some of the memories of their Papa include his adventures with them, nicknames, jokes, and continuous support and belief in anything that they dreamed to do. There just aren't enough words to describe how much Richard loved his family. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Richard is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Jean Lauderdale; daughters, Danielle Lewallen, Christy Lauderdale; son, Rick (Emily) Lauderdale; grandchildren, Ashlie (Scott Johnson) Lauderdale, David (Sarah) McDaniel, II, Cayden Lewallen, Alex Davis, Jackson Davis; great-grandchildren, Dawson McDaniel, Declan McDaniel; sister, Patricia Sexton; brothers, Charles Lauderdale, James Lauderdale; brothers-in-law, Billy Lankford, Lynn Royall; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stillman and Lillian Lauderdale; brother, Perry Lauderdale; and sister, Patsy Taunton.
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