Richard J. "Dick" Hora

Richard J. "Dick" Hora, 78, of Hendersonville, formerly of Parma, Ohio; Brunswick, Maine; San Diego; Norfolk, Va.; and several naval vessels, passed away on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013.

He was born on May 22, 1935, and raised by the late John A. and Marie M. Hora in Parma, Ohio.

After four years of service in the United States Navy, he met his future wife, Barbara Eppler, in English class at Baldwin Wallace College. He wasn't interested in English very much longer. Soon thereafter he re-enlisted and continued his naval career as an aviation electrician and instructor. His service ultimately spanned 26 years, 11 deployments, four continents, and every meridian of the globe except two. He retired in 1979 as a Master Chief Petty Officer. After moving to Hendersonville with his family following his retirement from the Navy, he began a second career as an electrician and tester at Westinghouse Corporation in Arden (now Eaton). He retired in 2000.

Dick enjoyed the bright sun of the beach, jazz music, taking care of his family, current events, NASCAR, his 24 pound Maine coon cat named "Awesome", political humor, bad TV, and a good polish sausage.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara, with whom he built a family of three daughters and seven grandchildren: Wendi Connelly of Hendersonville, grandsons, Patrick of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, and Ryan and Tim, and granddaughter, Kelly of Hendersonville; daughter, Amy McConnell and granddaughters, Allison and Tara of Virginia Beach, Va.; and daughter, Julie Williams, husband Charles, and son Ben of Mills River.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Martin officiating. A reception will follow. At a later date, his ashes will be both interred at the church and cast at sea from the deck of a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier, where Master Chief Hora is sure at least 5000 sailors will be thinking of him that day.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Music Department, 204 6th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.