Richard Cruthirds

Richard Earl Cruthirds (Dick) of Saucier, MS passed away on April 21 at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport from complications of the novel coronavirus.

Dick was born in Mississippi on December 5, 1949 to parents Stanley and Mildred Cruthirds. Dick was raised in Louisiana and graduated from Leon Godchaux High School in 1967. He then joined the Air Force and started to travel the world. He was an instructor at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas and was in the ESC at Karamursel Air Force Base in Turkey and Iraklion Air Force Base on Crete, Greece. During his time in the Air Force Dick belonged to the Rod & Gun Club and was on the local softball and dart teams. He traveled throughout the world competing against other leagues. While on Crete he and his softball team won the European Nationals. During his time in the Air Force Dick continued his education and received a Bachelors Degree in science and psychology. Dick retired from the Air Force in 1988. He then began working for Lockheed Martin. He continued to travel and spent several years in Korea. Dick retired in 2010. After he retired Dick spent his days out on the Gulf Of Mexico on his boat fishing. He was an avid fisherman and loved spending time on the water. Dick was quite a handy man and could fix most anything with a motor! He loved working on boats, cars, yard work, helping his sons work on their houses, and cooking. When he did take a break you'd find him watching the LSU Tigers on TV with a cold beer in his hand.

Dick was preceded in death by his mother Mildred Cruthirds; his grandparents; his brother Michael Cruthirds; the mother of his children Linda Cruthirds; and his nephew Jeramy Stein.

He is survived by his father Stanley Cruthirds of Slidell, LA; his sons Joe ( Dorothy) Cruthirds of Saucier, MS , Troy Cruthirds of Biloxi, MS; his daughters Cheryl (Rob) Cruthirds of Gautier, MS, Billie Jo Donath and Melanie Forist, both of Fortworth, Texas; nine grandchildren , Lauren Cruthirds, Bethany Cruthirds, Brandilyn (Jamie) Lizana, Brianna Cruthirds , Hannah Donath, Madison Forist, Steven Forist, Ryan Forist; 7 great grandchildren, Joseph, Annabelle, Adeline, Joshua , Owen , Braedon, and Clara; brother Joseph (Dana) Cruthirds of New Orleans, LA; sisters Janet (Kelly) Stein of Slidell , LA, and Linda ( Wilbert) Zimmerman of Shiner, TX. He is also survived by multiple aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Dick will be missed by his family and friends. He was the life of the party and always there to lend a hand when needed. The family would like to thank the ICU nurses and doctors at MHG for taking such good care of him. Unfortunately due to the coronavirus his family could not physically be with him when he passed but thanks to the nurses they were able to speak to him and see him as he made his journey home. Dick did not want a funeral service, he requested a party at the camp with plenty of food, drinks, and lots of memories to be shared. This party will be planned at a later date when everyone can come together to celebrate his life.

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd. Gulfport servied the family.

www.riemannfamily.com