Clyde Marshell Richard

Clyde Marshell Richard, the third child of Beulah (nee White) and Tom Richard, was born on June 16, 1943 in Elberton, Georgia.  He went home to his heavenly father on September 11, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He was 77.

He was raised in Cincinnati in the West End (Georgia Flats community) and Evanston.  He attended Cincinnati Public Schools graduating from Withrow High School in 1962 where he was active in the PEP Club (3 years) and Stage Crew Member for The Minstrels (3 years). While at Withrow he excelled in athletics, participating on the football varsity team for three (3) years.  He received citywide recognition for his football ability.  

His football skills earned him a scholarship to Kentucky State College (currently Kentucky State University) in Frankfort, Kentucky.  While at college, Clyde displayed early signs of his commitment to justice and equality by participating in civil rights marches with Martin Luther King in Florida and Salem, Alabama crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge.  He graduated in 1967 with a  Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education.

After graduating from college, Clyde worked for a short time with Louisville School District, two (2) years for Cincinnati Milacron, six (6) years for Denhart Realty managing over 2,000 subsidized housing units, and four (4) years for Neighborhood Housing Service (NHS) in Evanston. While there he was responsible for assisting 200+ homeowners in renovating their homes along with working with various lenders obtaining low interest loans for the renovations.

In 1983, Clyde started at Cincinnati Institute for Career Alternatives (CICA), managing the Women Venture in Construction Initiative (WVICI).  WVICI worked with females who were low income and head of household. He  introduced them to the construction field that included learning basic painting, carpentry, and plumbing skills.  The women actually worked on real jobs and they could see themselves transforming from "Who am I?" to "I am Somebody, I am Skilled".  Through this program, Clyde was able to increase the women's self-esteem, grow their confidence and provide them with the opportunity to earn wages that would improve their quality of life.  He was definitely their "ROCK" and they knew it!! 

Clyde moved on at CICA as manager of the whole organization and in 1996 he became Executive Director.  During this time Clyde recognized that there was an overwhelming number of City of Cincinnati residents also in need of a "helping hand".  This realization became the cornerstone of CICA's niche-assisting city residents who were socioeconomically disadvantaged. 

Under Clyde's leadership, CICA gained city-wide recognition for designing and operating programs. These programs served the unemployed, the underemployed (working poor), and individuals who needed to obtain a  high school equivalency diploma (GED).These programs also provided personal coaching, skills training, and programs for seniors, and returning citizens (ex-offenders). These programs served 25,000 customers.

The CICA personnel worked hard because they had a leader who ALWAYS put the customer first. He never allowed his ego to get in the way of his staff's creativity.  He was respected and truly loved by the CICA team. Clyde loved the Lord and  was BLESSED to honor his LORD by paving a way to help when help was needed. Clyde also made sure his staff had continuous learning opportunities. This was so they could increase their knowledge base to maintain their excellent and unique service delivery techniques. CICA was BLESSED to have a leader like Clyde Richard!!  

In August 1968, Clyde Richard met the love of his life, his best friend, his soul mate, Betty.  They were married on July 24, 1971.  This union was blessed with two sons, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.  Their marriage was one of love, devotion, and humor.  On Easter 2012, Clyde was baptized and became a member of the Church of the Resurrection.
Clyde was deeply involved in community and educational activities.  He served on the St. Mark School and Purcell Marian school boards, active member of the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP, served on the Justice and Social Action and the Jazz on the Lawn committees for the Church of the Resurrection, and participated on several local political campaigns.
Clyde was devoted to family.  He cared for others.  In a quiet manner he showed strength, courage, never feeling sorry for himself, always positive.  He was a humble and loving person.  He was a true man, husband, father, and friend.

Clyde was preceded in death by his loving parents and four siblings:  Thomas Richard (Marie), Connie Joe Wills (Al), Mildred Manuel (John, deceased), and Ila Ann Oden (Ricky).
Clyde's amazing life will be cherished by his wife of 49 years, Betty Richard; two sons, Terrence Richard and Christopher Richard (Rhonda); four grandchildren, Terrence Richard, Jr., Deserae Richard, Hannah Marie Richard, and Kinley Grace Richard; one great-grandchild, Ariana Skye Richard; one sister, Eyvonne Richard; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation is from 9:00 am until 10:00 am on  Saturday, September 19, 2020 at the Church Of The Resurrection, 1619 California Avenue, Cincinnati  (45237).   The Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Everyone attending must wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232.

In keeping with the Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions masks are required in order to enter  the service and social distancing must be practiced.  Please be prepared to comply for the safety of all.

To share a memory of Clyde or leave a special message for the Richard family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."  

Walker Funeral Home, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati (45206)  is honored to serve the  Richard family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.

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