Richard Carl

Richard Wendell Carl, age 78 of Paris, TN, died Thursday, July 20, 2023, at AHC in Paris.

Richard was born in Paris, TN at Nobles Memorial Hospital on November 18, 1944, to the late Reverend T.W. Carl and Clara B. Davis Carl. He spent his adolescent years in Paris and Model, TN, and graduated from Stewart County High School as salutatorian in 1962.  Richard then attended University of Tennessee at Martin and continued his studies at University of Tennessee at Knoxville graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physics.  Richard married Jean Askew on September 11, 1965.  Richard and Jean moved to Houston, TX where Richard worked for NASA on the Apollo space program.  Richard also earned a master’s degree in management from University of Houston Clear Lake.  Richard’s remaining working years were spent with NASA and its contractors working on the space shuttle and international space station programs. 

Richard is survived by one daughter, Angela (Randy) Stoda, missionaries serving in Latvia; two sons, David Scott Carl of Paris, and Brad Alan Carl of Houston, TX; and four grandchildren, Andrew Stoda, Kayleigh Stoda, Nathan Stoda, and Cade Carl, and his mother, Jamie Carl, both of Houston, TX.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Richard was also preceded in death by one son, Brian Wendell Carl; and two brothers James “Jimmy” Carl and William “Buddy” Carl.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  Visitation will be Wednesday, July 26, 2023, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Corinth Baptist Church 1695 Long Creek RD, Dover, TN 37058, with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 am at Corinth Baptist Church followed by a graveside committal service at the church cemetery.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the Children's Heart Foundation in honor of Richard’s son Brian at 5 Revere Drive, Suite 200, Northbrook, IL 60062-1500 or at www.childrensheartfoundation.org.