Charles Edward Richards Jr.

Charles Edward Richards, Jr. died on March 28, 2020 at the age of 81, from Alzheimer's and complications from Coronavirus. His parents, Charles, Sr. and Myra Tincie Long Richards predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Agnes Dykes Richards; his sisters Myra "Peggy" Brown (husband Larry Arend, MD) and Mary Patricia "Patsy" Taylor (husband Wally); his children Charles, III (his son Levon McCabe); Elizabeth Richards Schott (her children Louis Schott, Jr., Aimee Schott and William Schott); Leonard Scott Isacks (Lynn) (his children Scott Isacks and Julianne Isacks) and Fletcher Bryan Isacks (his children Cailey Isacks, Cooper Isacks, Russell Isacks and Maggie Isacks). He had numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. Charles Richards graduated from Fortier High School, obtained a BBA from Tulane University in 1962 and went on to graduate with an LLB in 1964 at which time he was President of the Tulane Student Bar Association. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. Later Charles went on to graduate from the Owner/President Management Program (OPM), Harvard University. In between a freshman year at Tulane where he often said he water skied and partied too much and his more serious upper class years, Charles spent 3 years in the Navy. He gave credit to the Navy for many of his later successes. He loved the sea and was fortunate enough to cruise the Mediterranean on the aircraft Carrier, The USS Saratoga. An avid sailor, Charles continued his fascination with the sea as owner of a succession of sailboats. While sailing, he made a number of lifelong friendships. One of his favorite trips with his wife, Aggie, was sailing on the tall ship, Sea Cloud II, with great friends touring their old navy haunts from the Mediterranean to Great Britain. He was deeply spiritual and religious. He grew up a Baptist and became an Episcopalian when his children went to Trinity School. He joyfully served as a Eucharistic Minister at several churches and later served as Senior Warden of Christ Episcopal Church in Covington. After moving back to New Orleans in 2014 Charles rejoined Trinity Episcopal Church. Charles loved the mountains of North Carolina and when he retired in 2000, he and Aggie spent half their time at their home there. He was active in the Highlands community, especially teaching adults to read, supporting the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation and raising money for the Bascom Art Center. Charles was "Opah" to his grandchildren-"grandblessings" as he called them and he loved being surrounded by them often hiking and boating together. They all fondly remember his Donald Duck imitations. He loved building trails on his property in Highlands and on their place on the Abita River. Sometimes when the kids would be particularly wild he would say, "I would lay down my life for these 10 wonderful kids, but I won't give them my peace." Then he would find his book and a quiet place to meditate and read. Charles loved music; he enjoyed playing the guitar and piano and as well as lending his wonderful singing voice to performances. He performed regularly at the Farmers Market in Covington and frequently when family and friends would gather. He had rhythm in his soul and was great fun to dance with. He was a member of the Stratford Club where more than once he won the Gin Rummy Championship. He was also a member of the Pickwick Club and the Southern Yacht Club where he lost many a race. Early in life at the age of twelve, Charles' entrepreneurship began to show with a growing paper route. As an adult he had three successful careers: as a lawyer, he became a partner in Chaffe McCall LLP; as President and CEO of Medicorporation and later Executive Vice President and then President of TDC Energy. He had been a resident of Lambeth House since 2014. An heroic group of staff and management, including Scott Crabtree, Debbie Godsey, Stefanie Hosek, Jennifer Credeur, Regan Forrester, Kendra, Angie, his hospice nurse and the nurses and assistants in Mercer's Way lovingly cared for him. Charles was known for a great sense of humor, a special twinkle in his eye and a deeply compassionate and generous heart. He is greatly missed. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans at a later date. Some of his favorite charities were Bridge House, Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans, Lambeth Foundation and the Lambeth Employee Fund. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.