CONCORD, N.C. — Stephen Richards, a Navy pilot who loved to fly, also loved reading, music, and outdoor activities.

He died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina, where he lived. He was 66.

“Stephen’s humor, kindness, sweetness, intelligence, and charm,” his family wrote in a tribute, “live on through the insights he imparted, the love he shared, and the memories we will cherish. 

“He was the loving husband of Donna Ann Richards; devoted father of his two daughters, Kristin Elizabeth Andrews and Melissa Ann Spafford and their spouses, Laura Andrews and Andrew Spafford; and the beloved ‘Papa’ of his grandchildren: Auden, Hudson, Jennings, and Emilia. 

“Born on March 5, 1959 in Syracuse, New York, the first of Paul Bunting Richards and Ann Forbes Greenough Richards’ three children, Stephen grew up in the Helderberg Mountains near Albany, New York with his parents, his sister Eliza, and his brother Peter.

“He attended public elementary and high school in Voorheesville, New York, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and a second major in government from St. Lawrence University in Potsdam in 1982. He married Donna on June 10, 1984, welcomed Kristin in May 1988, and Melissa in March 1991.

“Serving as a pilot in the United States Navy from 1983 to 1992, Stephen achieved the rank of lieutenant commander; he served two years in the reserves. He loved to fly. He and his family settled in North Carolina, where he worked at Lomax Tile and Marble in Charlotte, starting in 1993, in various roles. He retired as vice president of the company that he worked hard to help build in 2019. 

“Stephen was enjoying his retirement, traveling with Donna and sharing time with his family. He took great pleasure in gardening, road and mountain-biking, walking with his dogs, and other outdoor activities.

“He loved reading — there was always a pile of books waiting for him. His music collection was legendary; he collected all kinds of music from the time he was a teenager; he listened to music every day and attended live events frequently. He studied guitar and was learning how to turn wood.

“Stephen is survived by his wife, his daughters, his grandchildren, his siblings, and extended family members and friends who will miss him. His beloved dog Sadie will also miss him greatly.”

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A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Downtown Warehouse at 8 Church Street in Concord, N.C.

Memorial contributions may be made to the NC Native Plant Society (https://ncwildflower.org), “a cause close to Stephen’s heart,” his family wrote.