December 29, 2025, 87, Greenville – Dr. John T. Richards, Sr, 87, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025. A memorial service will be held Saturday at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church at 11 AM. The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service and at a luncheon held immediately following the service at the church.
Dr. Richards was born and raised in Schenectady, NY. He received his undergraduate education from Cortland State Teacher’s College in NY. He went to receive his Master’s and PhD in Education from the University of Virginia. Dr. Richards came to Greenville in 1968 to chair the Special Education Department at ECU and served as its department chair until his retirement in 1998. He was the longest serving department chair in university history and was selected as the General College Advisor of the Year in 1991. Dr. Richards was devoted to the students in his department and personally advised each of them during his tenure. He was extremely proud of the over 7,000 students that graduated from the Special Education Department during his career.
Additionally, Dr. Richards believed in serving one’s community. He has been a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church for close to 60 years, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lecter for 40 years. He also volunteered with the Pitt County Board of Elections, serving as Chief Judge for 20 years and he served as the President of the NC Federation Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Richards enjoyed volunteering with the Pitt County American Cancer Society, earning Volunteer of the Year for his efforts.
Dr. Richards was a proud Pirate and loved tailgating at ECU football games. He also enjoyed spending time at the beach, but most importantly, spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Dr. Richards was preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Elizabeth C. Richards; and sister, Betty Anne Hess. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rose D’Amore Richards; sons, John T. Richards, Jr. and wife, Gail, of Goldsboro, and Kevin Richards and wife, Darlene, of Bath; daughter, Anne R. Lewis and husband, Phillip, of Swansboro; grandchildren, Vanessa Coffee and husband, Jacob, of Apex, Lauren Sasser and husband, Grant, of Fremont, John Richards and wife, Rene, of Pinetown, and Phillip J. Lewis of Winston-Salem; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Thompson, Graham Sasser, Watson Sasser, and Elsie Mae Richards; and numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. John T. Richards Scholarship at ECU University Advancement, 2200 S. Charles Blvd, Greenville Centre, Mail Stop 301, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353. Contributions may also be made to St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, 3250 Dickinson Ave, Greenville, NC 27834.
Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory.
Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.
