Larry Gene Richards

Larry Gene Richards, 71, died Tuesday, May 19, at his home in Orange County, VA, following a long illness.

He is survived by Randi Richards, his wife of 39 years; stepson Daniel McFarlane (Essie) of Salisbury, NC; three grandchildren, Tori McFarlane (Neal) of Concord, NC, Quaz McFarlane of Orange County, and Daniel Aaron McFarlane of Salisbury, NC; brothers Thomas “Rick” Richards Jr. (Lynn) of Mississippi and Glenn Richards (Susan) of Florida; sisters Sheila Hawkins (Rick) of Texas and Terri Ingle of Mississippi;10 nieces and five nephews, six great nieces and four great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas Richards Sr. and Myrtle Gerhard of Mississippi; a brother, Fulton “Shorty” Richards; and a niece, Stephanie Richards McArther.

He was born in Canton, Mississippi, in May 1955. While a teen, he started working at a local auto parts store and soon became store manager, launching a career path that would last for 55 years. He managed stores for Trak Auto West in California and in 1985 became a district manager. There he and Randi met in 1983 and married four years later. He later managed a growing chain of stores for ABC Discount Auto Parts in New Jersey before he and Randi moved to Orange County in 2009. He was an active volunteer in the community, supporting Boy Scout Troop 14 when a grandchild joined the troop. He was also active in Trinity United Methodist Church.

He had a passion for classic cars. One of his first was a 1967 Chevy Camaro, nicknamed the Family Feud, and he and his brothers Glenn and Shorty would compete in timed races at the El Mirage dry lake bed in the Mojave Desert in California in the 1980s. Later in New Jersey, he was active in the Philadelphia Modifiers Street Rod Club and drove a 1938 Ford street rod. He spent three years as club president and was heavily involved in organizing and attending car shows in the Philadelphia-South Jersey area. While there, he became a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan and followed them closely year after year.

He possessed a measureless work ethic and a devotion to his family and friends. A service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 143 W. Main St, Orange, VA 22960.