Richard Everette Desso

Colbert, GA - Richard Everette Desso died peacefully at his home in Colbert, Ga. with his wife by his side just days short of his 90th birthday. Richard was born in Essex Junction, Vt. on November 28, 1922. He attended the University of Vermont. Being unable to enlist in the military during World War II, he made his way to Ashland, Kentucky where he worked in a munitions plant and met his lifelong friend and companion, Jean Lewis Desso, with whom he spent almost 68 years of marriage. In 1956 Dick and Jean moved their family to Savannah, GA where Dick was employed by Southern Nitrogen (later Kaiser Ag Chemicals). While in Savannah, Dick and Jean were members of Bull St Baptist Church. Dick and Jean shared many things, including a love of playing golf and watching basketball as well as taking their grandchildren on road trips throughout the United States. They particularly enjoyed their home in Colbert where they settled in 1991. They could often be seen on the sidelines at Prince Avenue Christian School basketball games, cheering for their grandchildren - Jonathan, David and Rebekah.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, Robert Gabriel Desso and Esther Caroline Blakey Desso; his siblings, Robert Blakey Desso and Mary Elizabeth Desso Lane and his beloved grandson, Jonathan Robert Desso. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and children Anne Hagan (Gerald) and Robert Desso (Jane Kelly). He is also survived by his grandchildren Chris (Ann Kerkman), Matt (Jodi Rossiter), and Kevin Hagan, David (Rebecca Rowsey Desso) and Rebekah Desso and 3 great grandchildren Stokes, Lucy and Gabriel Hagan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jon Desso Foundation, Inc. PO Box 49426 Athens, GA 30604.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 11AM at Oconee Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the graveside service at Oconee Chapel Funeral Directors, 2370 Hog Mountain Road (Hwy 53), Watkinsville, GA 30677.