Obituary Richard’s Life Story

After 88 years of joyous living, fun adventures, travels, and experiencing all that life had to offer, our patriarch RICHARD NALLS, respectfully known to his loved one’s as “DOC” transitioned to heaven on March 14, 2023.

Richard was born on November 22, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee to his late parents; Vivian and Letty (Jack) Nalls. Richard was the youngest of eight children; Margaret Towns, Vera Stevenson, Alice Hilliard, Lillian Ray, Charlie Nalls, Eugene Nalls, and Mildred Smith, all have preceded him in death.

As the baby of the family, Richard was spoiled rotten by his mother and his sisters but he was determined to pay it forward by being self supportive and finding a good job.

In 1952, Richard graduated from Booker T. Washington high school in Memphis where he met his first wife Onie V. Fletcher (Coleman). He enjoyed playing baseball and working odd jobs with his father. Richard accepted Jesus Christ early on. While still in high school, Richard worked several small jobs to help support his family and was eventually hired as an orderly at a local hospital in Memphis where he developed a love for the medical field.

In 1957, Richard married Onie and from their union four children were born; Michael, Clark, Cheryl, and Charles Steven. Although their union was dissolved in 1975, both continued to co-parent their four children and pour love and blessings into their lives.

Richard enlisted in the United States Navy in 1953. The following is a summation of his illustrious military career:

Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA, Kaneohe Bay, Marine Base in Hawaii, San Diego Naval Hospital Base, Oakland Naval Regional Medical Center, Port Hueneme Naval Base Ventura, CA, New London Naval Base, Groton, Connecticut , Navy Support Activity Base, Holy Loch, Scotland, and Bremerton Naval Base, Washington. Richard was deployed on the USS Norton Sound, Weapons and Radar Test Ship, USS Fulton Submarine Tender, USS Simon Lake Submarine Tender, USS Proteus Submarine Tender, and the USS Samuel Gompers Destroyer Tender.

Richard worked as a Nuclear Medicine Technician, a Medical Assistant, and a Medical Field Service Technician. In 1973, after 19 years of honorable and commendable service, he retired at the rank of HMC E-7, Chief Petty Officer.

After retirement, Richard moved to the Bay Area and worked several other jobs to stay busy; Peterbilt, Monsanto, General Instrument, and as a civilian he worked for the Alameda Naval Air Station. Richard worked in the medical field for many years while in the Navy. He was quite proud and reveled in his newfound medical training. So much so that when his daughter was six years old, she was rough housing with her brothers, and they accidentally split her ear. Without hesitation, Richard grabbed his medical kit, pulled out a needle and thread, and a cold pack and stitched her ear right up without any anesthesia. Now that’s what you call a “hands-on” Dad. Richard loved his children immensely. His boys were his pride and joy, but his daughter was his little angel.

Richard enjoyed learning new things and was constantly increasing his knowledge on various subjects including music, art, reading and technology. Subsequently, he was hired to inspect elevators for the State of California as a Senior ERT Engineer in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Elevator, Ride, and Tramway

Unit. Richard worked on this assignment for almost 20 years and earned a second retirement honor.

Richard was extremely giving and very sociable. He never met a stranger. He enjoyed life to its fullest and cultivated many relationships with close friends and people he met along his journey. His boisterous laugh was contagious and could be heard yards away. You knew he was in the building. He also loved life, women and song. More so women than song, but that’s what made him special. Richard loved hard, but never expected anything but love in return.

In the early 90’s, Richard married his second wife Shirley Walker. Ultimately, that marriage was dissolved several years later. Richard enjoyed over 55 plus years with his best friends Eddie Moss and Rufus Watkins who both preceded him in death. Richard was Eddie’s caregiver for a few years as Eddie struggled from stomach cancer. Best friends indeed, you did not see one without the other. To Richard’s children, they were referred to as “Uncle Eddie” and “Uncle Rufus”.

Richard was an avid reader, loved bowling, played dominos like a champ, loved bid whist and spades, he enjoyed watching western movies, he loved to eat tasty food, enjoyed jazz music and concerts (Nancy Wilson was his favorite), but most of all he loved sharing time with his family.

Richard leaves behind his four children; Michael Nalls (Stacy) Clark Nalls (Henrietta), Cheryl Nalls, and Charles Steven Nalls (Pleshette). His grandchildren; Tamika Harry, Shamika Hardnett (Martez), April Nalls (David), Clark Anthony Nalls, Simone Nalls, Richard Nalls, Jordon Nalls, Sheniya Ben Israel (Aryah Ben), Stephanie Nalls, and Starr Nalls (Maurice). His love is also shared by his 14 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends. Rest peacefully in heaven Dad, aka “Doc”, aka, “Chief”, aka “Dick”, aka, “Rich” aka, “Mr. Nalls”.

We Love You.