David Edward Richarme

David Edward Richarme, 65, of Sherwood, Arkansas, passed away on October 25, 2025. He was born on April 2, 1960, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to John Davis Richarme and Donna Karolina (Person) Richarme. When he was six months old, the Air Force sent his father and the family to Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. As a boy, David loved to build things from discarded items, such as race cars made from toilet paper rolls, empty spools of thread, and rubber bands. Even then, being an engineer was in his nature. His Cub Scout pack repeatedly won awards for the Pinewood Derby balsam wood race cars he and his pack would build. David's father retired from the Air Force in the summer of 1973, and they moved to Arkansas. David's parents bought their first house in North Pulaski County in Runyan Acres. David attended Sylvan Hills Junior High and joined the band. It was there that he initially met and wooed Coleta Spivey. He said he never could remember why they broke up, but they always remained friends. He attended Sylvan Hills High School, and though he played the clarinet, by the time he left, he played several instruments with fluency. After high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force in January of 1978, following in his father's footsteps. After basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he was sent to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi for training in avionics systems. In 1979, he married his first wife, and from that marriage he had two children, his daughter Christine and his son, Paul. In 1983 he was assigned to Blytheville AFB as a B-52 gunner, a career he very much enjoyed. It was a very demanding position and involved many hours and days away from home, which ultimately contributed to his divorce. He remained close to his children throughout his life, however, and both of his grown children currently live nearby in Arkansas. While at Blytheville AFB, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology. In March of 1988, he separated honorably from the USAF. Ready to use his newly acquired degree, he went to work for Rohr Industries in Heber Springs as an Industrial Engineer. David worked and held many positions throughout the years including G.C. Evans, B.F. Goodrich, Deluxe Video, Remington Arms, and finally Falcon Jet in Little Rock. During that time David earned his master's degree. He eventually purchased his father's house in Runyan Acres, where he continued to live for the rest of his life. On October 21, 2006, David married Coleta Spivey, his lifelong friend and childhood sweetheart. They celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary on October 21. Although they were married for 19 years, they knew each other for 50 years. Their years together were a perpetual source of happiness in both of their lives. It was while David was employed with Falcon Jet that he suffered a massive and life- threatening hemorrhagic stroke. He recovered after a long and tough struggle, aided by Coleta and her unwavering support. His stroke left lasting damage to both his short-term and long-term memory, resulting in a medical retirement from Falcon Jet. Following the stroke, David dealt with many health issues over the years, including diabetes, gradual kidney failure requiring dialysis, and heart blockage requiring a two-vessel bypass surgery, to name just a few. He will be remembered for his resilience in the face of chronic disease and his refusal to let these things stop him from living his best life. He and Coleta shared many travels and adventures together, and he truly valued every moment he was able to share with his wife, his family, and his many friends He was preceded in death by his father, John D. Richarme, and mother, Donna K. Richarme. He is survived by his wife, Coleta; daughter Christine Woodell and husband Bill; son Paul Richarme; son Ronnie Spivey and wife Nicki; grandchildren Lilli, Lane, and Libby; sister Linda Billmaier and husband Mike; sister Judith Murray and husband Ron; brother Eric A. Richarme and wife Lynn; and five nephews and three nieces.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas.