Richard Garfield Radford

Richard Garfield Radford, 102 of Floyd, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-grandfather, went peacefully Home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. He was born November 10, 1910, when William Howard Taft was our 27th President and the year E.B. Mabry began operating his gristmill near the Meadows of Dan. He was the son of the late Pete and Lula Radford, who lived to be 105 years old. He lived his entire life in Floyd County within a five mile radius of where he was born.

He is preceded in death by Velma Blackwell Radford, his beloved wife of 70 years; his son, Shirley; his brother, McRae; and his granddaughter-in-law, Deb Wood.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his devoted daughter & son-in-law, Annie Ruth and Melvin Wood, who faithfully cared for Garfield in his declining years; his sister, Ora Radford Huff; grandsons, Garland Wood, David (Joli) Wood, and Glen Radford (Michelle); granddaughter, Sharon Radford Clark (Allen); great-granddaughters, Stacy Wood Wilgus (Nathan), and Addison Clark; great-grandson, Jack Clark; great great-grandson, Drake Wilgus; daughter-in-law, Lois Radford Reynolds (Wayne); niece, Joyce Huff Reed; nephew, Dorsey Huff; and his best friend, Bud Lorleburg.

He was a member of Silver Leaf Church of the Brethren, where he served as deacon, and Red Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, where he proudly claimed perfect attendance for many years.

In his early years he helped build Hwy 221 with his father Pete and grandfather Marion, who was a country road superintendent. In his life he farmed, trapped, worked for Johnson Carper and Singer Furniture Company and Floyd Mutual Fire Insurance Company as an adjuster. He also loved fishing and hunting and was an excellent marksman.

He was known as a loyal, appreciative friend and a perfect gentleman to all who crossed his path. Those who knew him well understood his love of Snapper lawn mowers and catfish, especially if they happened to live in his prized fish pond.

Garfield’s life is not over; it was just begun. Garfield would agree with Paul when he said, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

The family would like to express a special thanks to Curtis and Brenda Huff, who faithfully took Garfield to church for years and to the staff members at Skyline Nursing and Rehabilitation for their compassionate and loving care over these last eight months.

A service to worship God and to celebrate Garfield’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Hebron Quesenberry and Pastor Jimmy Cannaday officiating. Interment will follow in the Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2013 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Garfield’s memory should be made to Red Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, Building Fund, 775 Red Oak Grove Road NE, Floyd, VA 24091.