On Oct. 20, 2016, the heart that Richard Howard Staten, Jr. shared so selflessly with us all just gave out. For the next chapter of his life, Richard had planned on retiring and moving to the North Carolina coast to enjoy the rest of his life with his beloved fiancee, Lynda Jennings.
He is survived by: Lynda of Covington, VA; her children, Sylvia Moats (Daniel), Scott Jennings (Robin), Michael Jennings (Amy), Marla Tombs (Jason); sister, Stuart Ann Hanna of White Sulphur Springs; brother, Michael Staten (Barbara) of Mobile, AL; sister-in-law, Ann Staten of Roanoke, VA; niece, Keli Staten of Edmonds, WA; nephews, Phillip Staten of Chesterfield, VA, Ralph Hanna III (Emily) of Aiken, SC, Chris Hanna (Nancy) of White Sulphur Springs, Matthew Hanna of White Sulphur Springs, Paul Hanna (Aimee) of Lewisburg, Andrew Hanna (DeAnna) of Morgantown, Justin Hanna (Marie) of Roanoke, VA and Quinn Hanna (Lauren) of Rockville, MD.
Born and raised in Lewisburg, the son of Carol and Richard Staten, Dick was a lifelong resident of Greenbrier County. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, he spent his childhood summers at Camp Shaw-Mi-Del-Eca in Caldwell and later worked there as a camp counselor. An accomplished equestrian, he spent many years giving instruction to children in the equestrian arts. Dick also enjoyed bridge, tennis, his extensive lily collection and traveling.
A graduate of Greenbrier Military School, Dick attended Concord College and received his MBA from Marshall University in Huntington. He served in the Air Force during the conflict in Vietnam.
He was an owner and manager of the Buzz-In store in White Sulphur Springs. He was an instructor at both the Federal prison in Alderson and Greenbrier Community College, now New River. For many years, he was a franchise owner and accountant of H&R Block in White Sulphur Springs. He not only took pride in his business, but he truly relished the friendships he made during his ventures.
Dick belonged to the West Virginia Public Accountants Association and the National Association of Enrolled Agents where he was a Master Tax Advisor of H&R Block. He was a past president of the White Sulphur Springs Rotary and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Dick was a devoted uncle to all of his nephews, his niece and his great-nephews and great-nieces. He was natural teacher and spent many hours teaching them of life’s valuable lessons. A talented golfer and skilled hunter, he passed those lessons on as well. He will be sorely missed by all of them.
Lynda’s children and grandchildren were like his own. He could not have loved them more. He enjoyed taking the grandchildren fishing, teaching them to swim, and including them on vacations.
Dick was preceded in death by this parents, Carol and Richard Staten and brother, Stanley.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Nov. 12 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in White Sulphur Springs. A reception followed in Butler Hall. In honor of his love of animals, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dick’s memory to the Greenbrier County Humane Society at 151 Holliday Lane, Lewisburg, WV 24901 or the Alleghany County, VA, Humane Society at 9313 Rich Patch Road, Covington, VA 24426.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.