J. Richard Gaw

J. Richard Gaw, 89, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2016 at his home. He was born July 12, 1926 to the late James William and Mary Josephine Thompson Gaw in Owensboro. He loved his family and considered them his greatest accomplishment. He enjoyed family gatherings and having pizza parties with his children and grandchildren. Mr. Gaw was known for his quick wit, clever sayings and good advice. Being an avid reader, he enjoyed the new technology of computers and read at least three newspapers online each day. He was so very loved by all that knew him. J. Richard had served as manager of various Kentucky State Parks and retired from Ben Hawes State Park. He was also manager of Owensboro Sportscenter from 1957-1977. Mr. Gaw brought the first ice rink and hockey to Owensboro and served as Past President of the Ice Skating Institute of America. He was a member of Immaculate Catholic Church, named Kentucky Colonel, elected Justice of the Peace in 1957 and 1961, (marrying 427 couples), Past President of the Owensboro Jaycees, Past President of the Kentucky Magistrates Association, Daviess County Democrat Campaign Chairman in 1956 (showing John F. Kennedy around Owensboro) and Past Chairman of the Board of Wendell Foster Center, having been one of its original founders. He was also preceded in death by brothers Bill, George, Gerald and Charles Gaw. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alma Knott Gaw; children, Tom Gaw (Rita) of Indianapolis, IN, Barbara Roach of Owensboro, Monica Moore (George) of Jacksonville, FL, Jimmy Gaw (Marti) of Owensboro, Angie Mudrick (Thom) of Surprise, AZ, and Teresa Tatum (Jimmy) of Cape Girardeau, MO; grandchildren, Marshall Gaw (Gwen), Casey Ray (Todd), Lindsey Petway (Ty), Haley Riches (Scott), Audrey Miller (Chris), Stephen Moore, Nathan Gaw, Natasha Gaw, Lexi Mudrick, Sami Mudrick, Jordan Tatum (Kristi), Dustin Tatum, Landon Tatum; ten great-grandchildren; and sisters, Margaret "Skipper" Cox (Tony) and Dorothy "Dot" Hudson. Visitation will be from 9 until 11 AM Saturday, February 20 at Immaculate Catholic Church with a Mass of Resurrection at 11 AM. Glenn Funeral Home will be handling arrangements. The private committal service will be at St. Anthony Catholic Church Cemetery in Brown's Valley. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be offered online at www.glennfuneralhome.com.