Richard Cecil Puckett of Mount Dora, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Advent Health Celebration Hospital in Celebration, FL. He would have been 82 years old on August 3, 2022.
Richard grew up in Roanoke Virginia where he married and raised two children with his wife, Jean. In 1980, he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia. He worked for General Electric Company for 41 years in both Salem and Charlottesville. In 2000 he moved to Palm Coast FL where he lived until September 2018. He was a long-time member of Melrose Baptist Church in Roanoke, and a member of First Baptist in Charlottesville where he served as Deacon. After moving to Florida, he became a member of First Baptist Church of Bunnell and then a member of Crescent Beach Baptist Church in St. Augustine, FL. In September 2018, Richard moved with his wife to Waterman Village in Mount Dora, FL where he became a member of First Baptist Mount Dora.
Richard served his Lord and Savior in several different capacities over the years, including interim Youth Choir Director, volunteer Music Director, Deacon, and Trustee as well as serving on many church committees. Mr. Puckett loved his Lord, his beloved wife and family, his church and was a loyal and devoted husband and father. He gave of himself through his God-given musical abilities which he shared with others as a vocalist and trumpet player. He will be remembered for his patience, his servant’s heart, his care and concern for others, and his love of life and people. He enjoyed serving as head chef in his home kitchen, serving many great meals for his family and friends. Richard retired as Master Sergeant of the Virginia Army National Guard where he served for 31 years. He later considered it an honor to serve in the Florida Army National Guard Military Honors program, playing taps for over 500 funerals.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Jean Warren Puckett. Also surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Suzanne Puckett of Elkin, NC, daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Steve Hiller of Bradenton, FL, four grandchildren, Courtney Wampler, Kelly Deal, Brenton Puckett, and Katie Barrett, their spouses, and 5 great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Catherine Bell Puckett and Cecil C. Puckett as well as his only brother, Eugene Puckett.
The Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 11, at First Baptist Church, Mount Dora, Florida, with viewing at 1:00 pm and service at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Waterman Communities Foundation, 445 Waterman Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757.
