Richard Eugene Varnadoe, 83, of East Palatka, became absent from the body and present with the Lord on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Select Specialty Hospital in Daytona Beach. Born and raised in Palatka, Richard was a 1953 graduate of Palatka High School and a 1958 graduate of the University of Florida School of Pharmacy. Richard, along with his brother Marion, had owned and operated Druid Hills Pharmacy in Ocala for 25 years and then returned to Putnam County in 1985 where he worked at Walgreens Pharmacy for 15 years. While residing in Ocala, he was a member and past master of Marion Dunn Lodge #19 F&AM. An avid Gator Fan, Richard also enjoyed golfing in younger years as well as ceramics, painting and woodworking. He was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Paschal Varnadoe and Effie Mae Leaptrot Varndoe and his siblings, Eddie Varnadoe, James Varnadoe, Marion Varnadoe, Dalton Varnadoe, Robert Penouilh, Barbara Bridges and half-sisters, Eulah Marshall and Eunice Nelson.
Richard is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Polk Varnadoe of East Palatka, a daughter, Margaret “Meg” Scharfschwerdt (Bill) of Holly Hill, 2 sons, Greg Varnadoe (Joni) of Apopka and Richard E. Varnadoe, Jr. of White Lake, MI, a brother, Harry Varnadoe (Merle) of Palatka, 2 sisters, Mary McDonald of San Mateo and Betty Golden of Ocala, a sister-in-law, Betty Sue Varnadoe of Ocala, 7 grandchildren, William Scharfschwerdt, Katie Scharfschwerdt, Matthew Scharfschwerdt, Marli Varnadoe, Laney Varnadoe, Samantha Varnadoe and Richard E. Varnadoe,III and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services celebrating Richard’s life will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Pastor Buddy Lynch and Bro. Harry Varnadoe officiating. Burial will follow at Palatka Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday from Noon until the time of services at 1:00 P.M.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be sent to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave, Suite 1100 North, Bethesda, MD 20814 or to the Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10006.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Richard’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.