Mr Richard Clark Keziah Sr.

Richard Clark Keziah, 85, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2018 at his home in Burlington, NC. He was born in the Village of Alamance, NC on July 29, 1932 to John W. (Johny) and Louise Teague Keziah.
Richard was formerly the president and CEO of Monarch Hosiery Mills. He was a member of the last graduating class of Burlington High School in 1951. After attending Duke University he transferred to Elon College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. He began his career at Monarch in October 1953 alongside his father.
In 1982 he was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of First Federal Savings & Loan (later to become 1st State Bank) and served as Board Chair until its merger with Capital Bank. Additionally, he was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Elon Homes for Children in 1991. Later, in 1995, he served as president of Alamance Country Club. He was honored in 2002 by the Boy Scouts with a Tribute as one of six Alamance County textile leaders.
On January 25, 1952 Richard married the love of his life, Bettie Jane Cates. Together they raised a family and enjoyed camping, boating, water skiing, and annual summer vacations at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. He and Bettie were quite the jitterbug dancers and enjoyed “cuttin’ a rug” as members of the Shoe and Slipper Club. With his love of boating and the outdoors, Richard and Bettie began building their beloved Hyco Lake house from the plans he drew. They enjoyed nearly every weekend and vacation weeks at the lake house since 1971.
Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bettie, of the home; daughter Kathryn of Haw River, NC; son Richard Jr. (Dickie) and wife Gail Leahy Keziah of Oak Island, NC; grandsons Joey Leahy of Henderson, NC; David Leahy (Allison) of Salt Lake City, UT; Scott Leahy (Kristin) of Anchorage, AK; six great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews. Additionally, he is survived by a sister-in-law, Martha Cates Moser, and a dear friend, Gretchen Brodowicz, who was like another daughter to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Washington Keziah and Louise Teague Keziah; his sister Dorothy (Dot) Louise Keziah Holt and brother John W. (Bill) Keziah, Jr.
The family will receive friends at the Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington on Friday, June 29, 2018 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 11:00AM at First Baptist Church at Broad and Davis Streets in Burlington.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to home health aide Sherri Taylor with Options for Senior America and home health aides Yvette, Beverly, Bobbie Jo, Carolyn, Jackie, Janice, and Sheila for their kind and compassionate care provided to Richard. Also, excellent nursing care was provided to Richard by Lindsey and other nurses with Advanced Home Care. Many thanks to the nurses and staff of Hospice and Palliative Care who attended to Richard with such gentle care and compassion.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Burlington at Broad and Davis Streets, or to Hospice of Alamance-Caswell.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr Richard Clark Keziah Sr., please visit our floral store.