CHESAPEAKE—Ronald Graham Richards, 47, died Nov. 19, 2007, after a long courageous battle with lung cancer.

Mr. Richards was born in Charleston, W.Va. and was a 1978 graduate of Churchland High School.

He was U.S. Air Force veteran and worked as a pipelayer for Precon Construction Company. He was a member of Western Branch Baptist Church, Suffolk, where he was a member of the Seekers Sunday School Class, an usher, and a leader for the AWANA program.

He was an avid Oakland Raiders fan.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Lynda Richards of Chesapeake; mother and father, Marjorie Ann Cooper Richards and Robert

Gale Richards of Carrsville; daughter, Crystalyn Richards of Chesapeake; son, Ronald Richards II and wife Jessica of Jacksonville, N.C.; grandson, Landon; brothers, Robert Richards and wife Betty of Richmond and Randall Richards of Painsville, Ohio.

A funeral service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Western Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Hill officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors.

Friends may join the family today from 5 to 7

p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Dr., Suffolk.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Western Branch Baptist Church, Suffolk, Family Life Center at 6952 Old Myrtle Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434 or the Kings Fork Ruritan Club at 1600 Kings Fork Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434.

The family would like to give special thanks to the hospice caregiver Dee for the loving care she showed.

Condolences may also be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.