Fred Richards Ph.D

Fred Richards, 85, passed away on March 27, 2024. He was born January 12, 1939 in Baltimore,
MD, the son of Ezlin Black Richards and Alfred L. Richards, Sr.
As Fred put it on several occasions, he "lived many lives": as a young Baptist preacher,
seminary student, English Professor, Psychology Professor, Merchant Seaman,
carpenter, psychotherapist, artist, author, the Easter Bunny, Freddie the Rabbit, a great
friend of Santa Claus, a clown, an actor in Community Theatre, and an auctioneer. A
member of the Carrollton Kiwanis Club (with perfect attendance for 45 years), he was
well-known for his entertaining introductions of guests at club meetings, as well as his
engaging and heart-warming service as the emcee of numerous talent shows, nursing
home pageants, fun dog shows, and fund-raising activities. He was a loyal supporter of
the University of West Georgia, who could be heard singing and howling his signature
wolf cheers at university football games. He was also widely known by many for the
years he drove a distinctive '72 Dodge pickup truck covered with bumper stickers and
for the colorful and quirky hats he wore when undergoing treatment for cancer.
In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his sister, Joan Armpriester;
step-sisters Marion Dean and Bertha Bergen; step-brother, Gene Richards; and sister-
in-law, Frances Cohen. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years (Anne Richards),
and extended family members (Alan Cohen and Eva Marie Carney, Elise Cohen, Brett
Cohen and Sarah Cuellar, Marshall Cohen and Emily Diamond); a step-sister (Carol
Brown); numerous nieces and nephews; and countless persons he cherished as
friends, colleagues, and clients.
A psychotherapist for 46 years, he was a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC),
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and National Board Certified
Counselor (NBCC). He authored or co-authored nine books and numerous articles in
professional counseling and educational publications as well as in the Times-Georgian,
Star News, and West Georgia Woman. His artwork has been selected for the covers of
4 books.
His talents and potential were recognized early through a nomination for a Woodrow
Wilson fellowship by the English Department at Stetson University, where he earned his
BA Degree. He also earned a Master's degree in English at Stetson, a second Master's
degree (M.Ed.) from the University of Florida in Psychological Foundations of
Education, a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Union Institute and University in 1972, and
an Ed.S. from the University of West Georgia in Guidance & Counseling in 1979.
Fred was the recipient of many awards for distinguished service during his lifetime.
During his 49 years in Carrollton he earned awards for this service from the Carrollton
Kiwanis Club, the Sertoma Club, the Rotary Club, the University of West Georgia, and
the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia. He was the recipient of a
Caring award from Senior Citizens of the Carroll County area, as well as awards from
the Early Childhood Center, the Carrollton Housing Authority, and the Responsible
Sexuality Committee at the University of West Georgia. He was named a Board
Member Emeritus of the Community Children's Home Foundation (Alice's House),
received a Founders Award from the University of West Georgia (for his work as co-
chair with his wife of the Centennial Celebration Committee), and the Dora Byron
Citizenship Award from the Carrollton/Carroll County League of Women Voters (also
shared with his wife). In 2021, he was honored by the Carroll County Mental Health
Advocates at their annual masquerade ball for his 43 years of recurrent contributions to
mental health, locally and state-wide.
May 7, 2018, the office of the mayor of the city of Carrollton presented him with a
proclamation of appreciation as a legendary character in the area; citing his
irrepressible presence, oversized personality, quick wit, and characteristic acts of
kindness and compassion throughout the county and the West Georgia area. He was
considered to have unofficial status as a Good Will ambassador in Carrollton. And he
was well-known for helping people understand, cooperate, and communicate more
effectively with one another. Being a real, human, and candid person was central to his
way of living life. He saw himself as a flawed human being, but one committed to the
work of becoming a better one. Christian and Buddhist teachings informed his
understanding of what constitutes a good person and what enables persons to come to
terms with the suffering that is an inevitable part of human lives. A bumper-sticker he
created sums up his spirit and the essence of his decision to leave the world a better
place than the way he initially encountered it. It read: "Happiness is becoming the adult
I wish I had known as a child."
Wherever he went, Fred brought cheer, life, joy, hope and support in a world he knew
could be difficult to deal with at times. He will be dearly missed by all who had the good
fortune to cross paths with him.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his memory to
The Kiwanis Club of Carrollton
Alice's House
The SOS Fund at the University of West Georgia
Agape Hospice Care
A memorial celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11 AM at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Messages of condolence may be expressed online at www.almonfuneralhome.com