Richard Christmas

Richard LaFon Christmas was born on January 6, 1943, in Dillon, South Carolina, to Forrest and Mattie (Wallace) Christmas. He grew up in Dillon where he attended grade school and graduated from Dillon High School in 1961. As a young boy, Rick loved the outdoors and was active in football, baseball, and basketball, but baseball was his first love. He was voted athlete of the year in 1961 and received numerous other sports awards. Rick acquired the nickname “Monkey” as a youngster and it has followed him to this day. Rick married Patricia Smith on June 14, 1985, at the Ft. Crook House in Omaha, Nebraska, and they made their home in Elkhorn. Rick worked as a commercial glass contractor for most of his years in Omaha and had been with Husker Glass for over 20 years. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. Rick loved to be with them and attend their activities. He was an American Legion baseball coach for many years and followed the University of South Carolina athletics. He was passionate about the South Carolina Gamecocks, Southern traditions, and devoted to his family. Rick loved playing golf and sitting in on an occasional card game. Rick and Pat enjoyed traveling with family and friends and dining out at Farmer Brown’s. He was blessed with a larger than life personality and many, many dear friends. Wherever he went, near or far, he always ran into someone who knew him. He liked to watch western movies and was an avid newspaper reader. Rick will forever be remembered for his classic saying, “Ya know what I mean, Cuz?” Rick passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 27, 2013, in the emergency room at Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 70 years, 5 months and 22 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Forrest and Mattie. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Pat; children Liz Roper of Lincoln and her son Will; Ann Tarr and husband Steve, of Omaha and their children Schyler, Allison and Bethany; Maynard Smith and wife Alicia of Omaha and their children Ruby, Lucy, Blake and Grace; sister Janice (Ed) Estridge of Camden, SC and their daughter Kelly (Ed) Kerscher of Mt. Pleasant, SC and their son Jack.

Richard Christmas

January 6, 1943 - June 27, 2013