Ronald Price Richards

Ronald Price Richards -MACON - It is with a profound appreciation of Ron Richards' presence in our lives that family and friends announce the continuation of his journey on October 5, 2007. -To all who knew him, Ron was one of the more remarkable, grace-filled persons ever encountered. Knowing him, who could resist loving him? He wore his smile easily, with a wit that was precise, astute, and frequently expressed, always with perfect timing. His faults were real, and incredibly meager in the face of that pure-hearted goodness which could not fail to illuminate your day. Ron was gifted in an abundance of ways - what could he not do, or at the least, learn to do quickly? He is, and was, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, servant of the community, caretaker of the earth, wielder of signs, symbols, work and play, in the service of the world. -Ron took care of all of us in one way or another, at some time or another, his heart always on duty. Friend or stranger, if he saw someone in need, he tried his best to respond to that need. His capacity to feel deeply was enormous - lover of justice and mercy, of the earth and all that is beautiful, of all being, in particular those whom others might discount as inconsequential. His drive to protect and care for those who are vulnerable knew no borders. Our lives are inspired by his courage, not because he was never afraid, but because he never let being afraid of something stand in the way of doing what he felt was the right thing to do. -While jokes and long-winded funny stories were a notable and delightful part of every day life with Ron, he was equally thoughtful and articulate in a philosophical vein. His cosmovision was based upon a profound awareness of the interconnectedness of all of life. The following is a brief excerpt of a response he gave to a query by an interviewer several years ago: "Everything is connected. We are part of a much bigger cosmos than our own individual lives. Each being has an essential interconnectedness to every other being, and as such, we must be aware of life outside of our own small sphere. It's easy for us to hurt one another, to be selfish, if we think we are separate. When we can rest in the awareness of how truly intimately connected we all are, then it's no longer so easy to hurt others, we create space where we can live from a place of compassion, rather than being ruled by our fear. -"What naturally flows from a deep place of understanding and compassion is the conviction that We Must Take a Stand. We take a stand when we take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. We take a stand when we stand up for those who cannot stand alone. We take a stand, not because we are fearless, but because we are absolutely convinced of the necessity of each of us to care well for the other. To live from such an inner place, means that the nature of our actions will be of service not only to ourselves and our family, but to all beings, including those who come after us. When we claim such an understanding, to act in this way is not merely optional; it is an absolute imperative." -Ron lived from such a place as well as anyone else to whom he could be measured. He worked on system change in the service of justice, he lived day by day in the service of God's little ones, he brought joy and light and challenge and lots of laughing to us, his grateful family and friends. He will always hold his place at the table of our hearts. Two thoughts he leaves with us to live by: "Everlasting thanks, everlasting thanks" and "War is Not the Answer." -Ron was born January 14, 1940, and is preceded in death by his parents, Skip and Mary Jane Richards. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Fischer; children, Todd and Chris Richards, Debbie Saddler, Michael Reardon, Kathy Mayne, Lorri Fischer and John Eric Fischer; eleven grandchildren, one great-grandson, several nieces and nephews; father-in-law, Ed Crew; and by his siblings, Victoria Lantz, Nancy Sanders and John Richards. -Friends may visit the family at their home to celebrate Ron's life. -In lieu of flowers, friends may send contributions to Macon/ Bibb County Citizen Advocacy, 364 Cotton Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31201 or Ocmulgee National Monument Association, 1207 Emery Highway, Macon, Georgia 31217. Ronald Richards