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Richard Chitwood Obituary
Richard was born on June 26, 1971, to Rickie and Patricia Chitwood. He was raised in Tom Bean and attended Tom Bean schools. Upon graduation from high school, Richard attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a business economics degree. Upon joining the Peace Corps, he was stationed in Russia and Ukraine. After two years in the Peace Corps, he then went to work for a Micro-Finance organization that funded start-up businesses all over the world. Most of his time was spent in Afghanistan working to build an economic future for people who had little opportunity for financial security.
Always a free spirit, Richard was never judgmental of others. When he was in high school, he always took an interest in the foreign exchange students and worked to understand their perspective and culture. He even participated in an exchange program and lived abroad for several weeks. When he lived in different places worldwide, Richard would invite members of his family to meet him, and often they would come separately, with Richard giving the same tour several times with equal enthusiasm.
Richard loved people, and would often tell his family that others around the world were just as interested in peace and happiness as we are. Fearless in the face of opposition, he was always compassionate and full of goodwill towards people of diverse backgrounds. A believer in equal rights for all, he lived his life accordingly, which in today's world seems like a rare quality. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him all over the world.
Richard was preceded in death by grandparents: Ivan Reynolds, Frances Carter, Thomas Chitwood, and Oma Chitwood, uncles Danny Chitwood, and Larry Chitwood. Richard is survived by his son, Andre Chitwood of France; mother, Patricia Reynolds Chitwood of Sherman; father, Rickie Lynn Chitwood and wife Elaine of Sherman; brother, Ben Chitwood and wife Bri of Sherman; uncles, Harry Reynolds and wife Alera of Sherman, Clyde Reynolds and wife Barbara of Gordonville, Dick Reynolds of Sherman; aunts, Pam Green of The Colony, Jean Cox and husband Wayne of Sherman; step-brother David Manning, Sr., and step nephew David Manning, Jr., as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and also the friends he acquired through his travel and work experience.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Chitwood
Sponsored by Dannel Funeral Home.
Oksana
June 14, 2024
Oksana
June 14, 2024
From Peace Corps with our memories in 1997-1998
Oksana BEZVERKHA
June 14, 2024
The Peace Corps family!
Oksana BEZVERKHA
June 14, 2024
Oksana BEZVERKHA
June 14, 2024
Oksana BEZVERKHA
June 14, 2024
Oksana BEZVERKHA
June 14, 2024
Oksana BEZVERKHA
June 14, 2024
Hi Richard, it´s me Oksana.
Person who never forget your big and beautiful heart! We was together and engaged in Ukraine, we worked together with a Peace Corps members to do the right things to make some difference in this world!
Nobody will ever forget this moment and we will never forget the sacrifices made by our participation in the différents projects around the world.
RIP big and lovely man!
I now you let your boy with your family, so we pray for him. Stay here with us forever !
Sandy Goodale
February 14, 2019
It's hard to believe it's been a year already since you had to go, Richard. Much has changed, yet still you are remembered and missed always for your kindness, your smile, your friendship, and your beautiful light. I think of you often, keeping your many family & friends in my prayers. God's blessings to all who still miss you, still love you, and still long to see you once again. May the peace and love of Christ be with them at this time and forever.
Off-roading in Oklahoma, Spring 2016
Mark Feltner
February 13, 2019
Richard, You were my best friend and my brother. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I will miss you for as long as I live.
Vickie Feltner
February 13, 2019
Richard was like a son to me. I always called him my other son. He was a huge part of our family, as he was best friends with our 3 sons, Mark, Shaun and Matthew. So now here we are, a year later and it still does not seem possible that this young, wonderful soul is gone from us. Every time I drive down Highway 11 I look at his home, and think of him. He certainly lives in our hearts and minds. I will always remember the times he would come visit, eat and drink ice tea, tell stories of his travels, and just be here laughing and chit chatting. Richie, we miss you terribly. We love you still and nobody can ever come close to your special ways of kindness with a heart as big as Texas. From all of us, we love and miss you dearly.
Rusty and Susie Dick
February 13, 2019
A year has passed and I know your heart still aches for one more day with Richard. We learn to get through each day, but the urge to call them or see them never leaves us. Y'all are such a special family to us and our thoughts, prayers and love are with y'all today, as always. God Bless Each of You!
February 27, 2018
So very sorry for your loss. Thomas and Clydene Moore
Robert O'Leary
February 24, 2018
It's hard to believe Richard is gone. Just like Tim Pylate, my fellow Group VI Peace Corps Volunteer, I will always remember how helpful Richard was to us newbies. He showed great friendship and advice when times were tough. He was also very supportive of other volunteers' project. Together with Tim and I, we wrote a grant for funds to produce sign language books for a local school for the deaf. If I remember correctly, it was Rich who found the project and made sure it was brought through to completion. Also, when my counterpart's daughter broke her leg, he was one of the people who helped pay for the surgery to help her walk again. For a volunteer on a Peace Corps salary, this was a bit of a sacrifice. But Richard did it without a thought. I am sad to say we lost touch over the years and I wish we had reconnected so I could have heard of all his adventures. My thoughts are with his family, especially his son as well as his parents who I had the pleasure to meet in Ukraine, those many years ago.
Rob O'Leary
Peace Corps Ukraine (1996-98; 2015-2017)
Tiffany Mathis
February 21, 2018
Gone too soon. Prayers of comfort for the family during this time. May he rest in peace & he live on forever in our hearts. He is loved and will be missed by many. God Bless his son, family & friends.
David Merriman
February 21, 2018
So hard to believe, he was always smiling, and funny, and will smile down upon all of us with our Lord.
lou brown
February 21, 2018
Gone way too soon. He was loved and will surely be missed by friends and family. My prayers go out to his family.
Sandy (Weaver) Goodale
February 20, 2018
My deepest condolences to all Richard's family and friends. He was a sweet light in the world. Rest In Peace my friend.
February 20, 2018
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Rich, but grateful for his service to our nation with the Peace Corps in Ukraine and Russia.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
Elena Rozmaritza
February 20, 2018
Sorry for your loss.
Richard was a great man with a big heart.
Brian Davis
February 20, 2018
I was deeply saddened to hear of Rich's passing. I lived across from him in Law Hall at Texas A&M. Rich was always fun to be around and brought a smile to the face of everyone who met him. I remember staying at the Chitwood residence in Tom Bean to go watch the Aggies in the Cotton Bowl. After graduation anytime Rich was passing through Houston he would drop us a line to catch up. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 20, 2018
So sorry to hear of Ricky's passing. I have several fond memories of him in school but my favorite is when he played PeeWee Herman at the State Student Council Convention. He was the hit of the show. We are praying for the family. Wayne & Beth Hale
Cindy Jones-house
February 20, 2018
Ricky and Pat Sorry to hear about the loss of your son. May God be with you and your family. Cindy Jones
Monica Poindexter
February 20, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is so heavy for you. I will continue to lift the family up in my prayers. I love y'all so much.
Joe Hardt
February 20, 2018
My sincere condolences to the family. I have had the privilege of working with Ben the last few years and will keep your entire family in my prayers.
Jonathan Winkles
February 20, 2018
I was friend with Rich and lived across the hall from him in Law Hall at Texas A&M. Rich had a very upbeat and outgoing personality. It was amazing to walk around campus with him. He seemed to know everyone and would stop and talk. We would joke about not walking somewhere with Rich, because you were going to be late by the time he had said Howdy to all the folks he knew. It is so sad to hear about his passing, and we pray for peace and comfort for his family during this time of loss. God bless,
Jon & Karen Winkles
Tim Pylate
February 20, 2018
Dear friends and family of Richard,
I was so deeply saddened to hear of Richard's passing. Although we had not kept in touch recently, I always considered him a dear friend. Richard was headlong into his own Peace Corps service when I arrived in Donetsk, Ukraine to start mine more than 20 years ago. He was so welcoming and he took it upon himself to show the newbies around town and make sure they got settled in. And what a comfort it was to have a friend from my home state of Texas! He was admired by all of his Ukrainian and American counterparts, and the volunteers were so envious of his fluent Russian! He was always known as a hospitable host, inviting volunteers and friends into his home for birthdays and visits from his dad.
Following Peace Corps, we both pursued careers in international development. Imagine my surprise when one day in the far reaches of Afghanistan, a colleague hands me a business card from the Finca office next door with "Richard Chitwood" embossed on it. Sure enough, I walk next door to find Richard sitting on the floor Afhan-style, dressed in Afghan shalwar kameez, a loose Afghan scarf around his neck and sipping tea from a saucer. He was always one to embrace the culture! Of course, he already knew where all the good spots were and he drove me and a friend to the outskirts of town where we had a luxurious Afghan dinner and even beer!
To know Richard was to love his giant smile and his huge, kind heart. He never met a stranger, and he made friends no matter where he was in this world. May God bless his soul.
My prayers are with you, and I wish you all God's peace.
Fern Hamm
February 19, 2018
I knew Ritchie as a youngster in Tom Bean High School. He was always such an outstanding young man. I had lost touch with him after graduation.
I pray that our Heavenly Father will wrap his loving arms around you and your family, giving you peace and comfort.
God Bless and keep you.
billy short
February 19, 2018
may God bless you Elaine and Ricky. billy and sandy
Cathy Armstrong
February 19, 2018
I'm so sorry for you loss. I never met him, but love both sides of his family. You are all in my prayers.
Dick & Brenda Round
February 19, 2018
Ricky and Pat - our heart felt deepest sympathy for your loss. Praying for the two of you and the rest of the family.
Andrew Brooks
February 19, 2018
You are in my Prayers
He always found the good in people
Joanna Fry
February 19, 2018
Hello Chitwood Family: Richard was an amazing person and good friend. I had the opportunity work with Richard in the Peace Corp. He visited my family in Colorado on several occasions, and we visited him in Geneva. His adventures and life were an inspiration for us all.
Josh Yowell
February 19, 2018
Sorry for you loss
Tim O'Brien
February 19, 2018
My sincere condolences to the entire Chitwood family. Richard was a tremendous advisor for economic development and change in the countries where he worked from his years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine through his work in microfinance development in Afghanistan and other countries. Richard definitely left his mark on a lot of people. Honored and privileged to have served with him in Ukraine.
Rusty and Susie Dick
February 19, 2018
So Sorry for your loss. Your Family is very Special to us. Our thoughts and prayers are with y'all in the days ahead.
February 19, 2018
Richie, you were part of our family and we will always remember you and miss your visits. You always had interesting stories to tell, and shared your experiences with us whenever you came back home. It was so special to have you celebrate last Christmas with us. We will always remember you now and forevermore at that special time of year. We love you so much and we will always keep you in our hearts. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." Love you always, Vickie and Carl Feltner
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