AUBURN — Gaylon F. Richards, 81, of Auburn, passed away Monday, Oct. 16, at The Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn with his family by his side. He was born in Dover-Foxcroft on Feb. 5, 1936, a son of the late Fernald and Leona (Coy) Richards. Following graduation from high school, he attended the University of Maine at Farmington, from where he graduated and received his bachelor’s degree in education. In 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a member of the 101st Airborne until his honorable discharge in 1962. On Sept. 1, 1962, he married Christine Merrill. They were married for 42 years until her death in 2004. Gaylon was a teacher in the Auburn school system for 32 years until his retirement in 1999. He was a great outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and working with wood, and he had a long history of doing greenhouse work, dating all the way back to working with his parents. He and his wife raised a beautiful family of four children and he enjoyed his time with his six grandchildren.
Gaylon is survived by his four children, Tim Richards and wife, Kelly of Carrabassett Valley, Gayl Downs and boyfriend, David Leonard of Winthrop, Jonathan Richards and wife, Brooke of Waterboro, Kimberly Richards-Jones and husband, Sean of Brunswick; six grandchildren, Emily and Ethan Richards, Hunter Cook, Bailey and Jake Jones and Christine Downs; and a sister, Sylvia Dean and husband, Dave of Sangerville.
Besides her parents he was predeceased by his wife, Christine; and brother, Sumner Richards.
You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the Richards family by visiting Gaylon’s guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.
Gaylon F. Richards
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