Richard Wadsworth

Richard Wadsworth, 72, of Oak Hill, died suddenly Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Cabell Huntington Hospital as the result of a stroke. He was the son of Ruth Olvey Wadsworth Murphy and the late Lawrence Wadsworth. He was preceded in death by a son, Robin Wadsworth, two daughters, Amy Wadsworth and Jane Wadsworth, a brother, John Wadsworth and his step-father David Murphy. He is survived by his mother, Ruth Murphy of Lewisburg, his daughter, Kate Wadsworth and her husband Brad Moon of Lafayette, La, his grandson of the heart Emilio Dalporto of Oak Hill, his dearest friend and companion Laura Spadaro, also of Oak Hill, sisters Kathryn Wadsworth and husband David Deardorff of Port Townsend, WA, Sarah Wadsworth and partner Keith Cales of Sandstone, Lauren Wadsworth and husband Jeff Kessler of Lewisburg, nieces Deya Terrafranca, Annie Terrafranca, Mary Wadsworth, Tara Wadsworth and her fiancé Ryan O'Connor, nephews Nicholas Terrafranca and his wife Karen Gondoly, Tony Terrafranca and his wife Mary Grace Legg, Patrick Fern, Sam Kessler, Jules Kessler, John Wadsworth and his partner Whitney Wease, and one beloved great-niece, Meryl Wadsworth. Raised in Washington, DC, Rick moved to southern West Virginia from Marin County, California with his daughter Amy in 1988. From an early age, he had passion for social justice and workers' rights. He was a current board member and treasurer of the Southern Appalachian Labor School in Fayette County. Prior to that he was a community organizer and AmeriCorps member with SALS. Because he was extremely well informed and had significant insight into national political and social developments he had a regular slot on the monthly board agenda to present a political perspective. For the past several years he was a regular substitute teacher in the Fayette County Schools. He was an unconventional person who bravely lived as he chose and was always true to himself while allowing others the same freedom. The family will welcome friends for a pot luck gathering at Cooper Gallery in Lewisburg, WV on Saturday, November 18 at 4:00. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Southern Appalachian Labor School (http://sals.info) or West Virginia Citizen Action Group (https://wvcag.org) FC17-125

Richard Wadsworth

August 10, 1945 - November 8, 2017