Morris (Dean) Richards

Morris Dean Richards, 77, of Ocoee passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. He was born October 15, 1938 in Winter Garden, Florida. Survived by his wife, Sarah Ruth (Rorabaugh) Richards, four children, Cheryl (Ed) Davidson, Brenda Bass, Beth Freeman and Curtis Richards, eight grandchildren, Joe (Emily) Davidson II, Brittney Bass, Keli Davidson, Megan Bass, Justin Bass, Blaine Freeman, Taylor Richards and Braxton Freeman, two great-grandchildren, Joseph Davidson III and Grant Davidson, five siblings, John (Maggie) Richardson, Eddie Richardson, Helen (George) Elian, Billy (Jonelle) Richardson, and Gail (Tim) Ellison. Preceded in death by his parents, John B and Mazie Richardson, grandparents, James and Sophie Richards, and several aunts and uncles. Dean was born and raised in Winter Garden. As a teenager he worked selling peanuts grown by his grandmother, as a grocery bag boy, he had a paper route, he worked at Jower’s service station and he worked with Mr. Loomis at his funeral home. Dean and Ruth met at a roller rink in Clermont and were married October 3, 1958. They resided in Ocoee where they raised their 4 children. He volunteered coaching with the Ocoee Little League. Dean was a volunteer fireman with the Ocoee Fire Department for many years making his way up to Assistant Fire Chief. He rode with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Ocoee Police Department. Dean was a member of the Ocoee Lion’s Club for close to 40 years. Dean enjoyed being with the public and helping others. He retired from Continental Can Company in 1987 after 31 years of service, then retired from Mannheim’s Florida Auto Auction in 2003 after several years of service. He worked for Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Homes from 2004 to 2013 when the disease started taking its toll on him. Dean and Ruth enjoyed spending time with friends. The Jones’, Green’s, Daughtry’s and Turner’s would rotate houses to meet at once a month or more often to play cards. Canasta was most likely the card game of choice. Like his mother Dean loved to bowl and was a member of the bowling league with his Continental Can co-workers. For years he took his family camping every summer to Leesburg where several families joined together for a weekend of fun. The Henry’s, Hendrix’s, Alexander’s and Turner’s were a few of the families to go. Then some of the gang ventured out and started going to the GA Mountain Fair Campground in Hiawassee, GA. Dean and Ruth bought a home in Hiawassee, GA n 1999. They enjoyed spending time in the fresh mountain air as often as they could get up there. Enjoyed the Georgia Mountain Fair and other events around town. Dean loved his grandchildren which was evident by the way he picked on them while making them feel loved. He was a bit of a prankster and was always getting in trouble with Junior Crawford and his high school classmates. After retirement he would meet other comrades at the Ocoee Café early in the mornings for breakfast and storytelling.

Morris (Dean) Richards

October 15, 1938 - February 10, 2016