Arlie "Skipper" Richards, 1961-2023

Arlie "Skipper" Richards of Lake Wales passed away Friday, November 17, 2023 at James A. Haley Hospital in Tampa.

He was born May 8, 1961 in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Arlie and Ruth Richards; he has been a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1978. Skipper retired from the United States Air Force then worked as a mechanic for Citro Suco. He loved fishing and working on cars. Skipper loved his family dearly and was a great dad and grandfather.

Skipper was preceded in death by his brother, Grady Richards. He is survived by his daughters, Lynda Richards (Chad Huesman) of Pompano Beach, and Olyvia Tatem and husband Allen of Lake Wales, Angela Bucks Simon of Locust Fork, Alabama; sons, Gary Richards and wife Cheyenne of Lake Wales; sisters, Paula Anderson and husband Bruce of Winter Haven and Sandi Benchina and husband Frank of Sebring; brothers, Greg Richards of Jacksonville, and John Richards of Jacksonville; and six grandchildren.

A meet and greet will take place from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 1, 2023 at Mario Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales.