Richard Darden, Jr.

Richard Lee Darden Jr., age 76 of Long Beach, passed away June 21, 2021, in Gulfport, MS.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Lee Darden Sr., and Phyllis Rayburn Darden; a daughter, Cheryl Elaine Darden; and his sister, Sandra Darden.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mrs. Rita Lynn Darden; his daughters, Lynn Neary (Peter), Deborah Walmsley (Paul); his sons, Randy Darden (Billie) and Jeff Brown (Roxanne); his sisters, Jean Jenkins (Len), Carolyn Darden, and Angela Darden; his brothers, Mike Darden, Paul Darden (Ann), and Gary Darden (Connie); his grandchildren, Kevin Castelin (Christi), Kyle Castelin, Brittany Darden, Rachel Darden, Derek Walmsley (Samantha), Travis Walmsley, Justin Walmsley; his 5 great grandchildren; his many nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.

Richard was born November 13, 1944 in Vincennes, IN, but was a long-time resident of Long Beach, MS. Early on he served in the United States Air Force where he and Rita began their family. Later in life, Richard worked in the oil and gas industry and finished his career in the medical field as a sleep technician. Throughout the years, Richard was involved in the Long Beach community as a little league baseball coach as well as excelling as a Mason, Shriner and Scottish Rite.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Riemann Family Funeral Home in Long Beach, MS, with a visitation from 11:00 AM until the service. Interment will follow at Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens on 28th Street in Long Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children in memory of Richard.