Richard Ronald English, Sr.

Richard Ronald English, Sr. MSGT Ret. USAF, breathed his last and slipped peacefully into the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ on Monday, November 25, 2019.

He was born February 14, 1929, and lived 90 years, 9 months, and 12 days before entering into his eternal rest. At his side were daughters Victoria Elizabeth English and Jennifer Anne English Arent, and his son Richard R. English, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Marguerite Lane Johnson.

His parents were William G. English 1892-1991 and Harriet Martin Fox 1899-1989. As a child, he and his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Kitty) 1918-2007, grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester, NY. In 1943, his family moved to Haddam, CT and ran a farm at Hazenhurst Orchards. He graduated from Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, CT in 1947 and briefly attended Bradley University before moving forward to new adventures.

He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1949 and retired in 1973 at Moody AFB, Ga. Early in his military career he was assigned to Project Far East Air Force, transported across the Pacific Ocean aboard the USS Breckenridge to Korea and Japan. He returned stateside and was assigned to Chanute AFB, Rantoul, IL. In 1960, he was transferred to Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA where he retired in 1973. He was assigned to the Air Training Command, T-38 Link Trainers.

While assigned to Selfridge Field, MI, in 1949, he met his future wife, LaDonna Adel Geiser. She was working at SS Kresge Department Store in Mt. Clemens, MI. He came in the store looking to match buttons on a shirt; she waited on him. They married August 12, 1950. Son, Richard and daughter, Victoria were born at Chanute; daughter, Jennifer was born at Moody AFB.

After retirement, he and his wife opened English Grooming Salon. They worked together at their business until finally retiring in 1993.

Their favorite vacation destination was Jekyll Island, GA, where they visited annually from 1960 through 2018 at which time their daughter, Jennifer, married her husband, Jeffery Arent. Four months later, after he gave away the bride, at age 89. Richard English suffered a broken hip which led to a series of catastrophic events, including a stroke and a second fractured hip, from which he was not able to recover. In a Hail Mary effort to save his life, his daughter, Victoria, transported him to the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. For nearly twenty days, he struggled to regain his health, but the damage was too grave for a ninety-year-old man to overcome. He was transferred to the VA Hospital in Lake City, FL, where he died five days later.

Richard English was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He was an avid golfer, loved football and tennis. He made a Hole-In-One at Valdosta Country Club, July 4, 1964, on the 17th hole. Loved gardening as his father before him, and his father before him. His yard was well landscaped, maintaining a lush, green, lawn at exactly 3 ½ inches in height. He envisioned his yard to be a sanctuary for nature and birdwatching. He was computer proficient and quite adept with his smartphone. During his life he sold Christmas trees for the Valdosta Red Sox. He was a meticulous carpenter and always had some project in the works around the house. He read voraciously and traded stocks online. And he was a huge supporter of President Donald J. Trump.

By his passing, he leaves behind his wife of sixty-nine years, LaDonna Adel Geiser English, formerly of Genoa, NE; his son Richard and daughter-in-law Lane of Valdosta; daughter, Victoria of Valdosta; daughter, Jennifer and son-in-law Jeff of Melbourne, FL; grandchildren: Richard Ryan English and wife Keri; William Austin English and fiancée Megan A. Macfarlane; and Taylor Anne Vinge, all of Valdosta; great grandchildren, Matthew Connor English and Cameron June English, also of Valdosta. Pre-deceased by his parents William and Harriet English, sisters Mary Elizabeth (Kitty) English Arone and Patricia English (1922-1922), he leaves behind nieces, twins Carol Arone Lutz and Janice Arone, Barbara Arone Way; and nephew Donald Arone. Special friend, Louise F. Johnson of Valdosta. A dog-lover, he leaves behind canine companions Maddie (poodle), Willow and Rosie (Newfoundlands).

Richard Ronald English, Sr, MSGT Ret. USAF, will receive a graveside service and be interred at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Fr. Brian LaBurt will be officiating the Funeral Liturgy at St. Joseph’s Chapel. The date for the Funeral Liturgy has not been set. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com.