Richard C. Sheridan, 93, of Sheffield, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023. Visitation will be Sunday, May 14, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, with the service at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Chad Holder will officiate the service. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield with military honors by the American Legion Post 31.
Richard was born to the late Max and Melville Williamson Sheridan and raised in Caldwell County, Kentucky. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Germany during the Korean War where he received the Good Conduct, Sharpshooter, Army of Occupation, and National Defense Service Medals. He was a member of York Bluff Baptist Church for more than sixty years. Richard was a member of the American Legion Post 31 in Tuscumbia where he was an Adjutant for seventeen years and Past Post Commander. He retired from TVA where he worked for twenty-eight years as a Research Chemist in their National Fertilizer Development Center where he developed six patented processes and was a member of the TVA Retirees Association. He was a member of the American Chemical Society since 1957. He held many offices in the ACS Wilson Dam Section, serving two terms as chair and receiving multiple Outstanding Member Awards. He served on the National Council for fifteen years. Richard was a member of the Alabama Academy of Science where he was Chemist Section Chair and presented twenty research papers. After retirement, Richard was an adjunct instructor of Chemistry at the University of North Alabama and contributed columns on local history to the Times Daily, Kidsville News and Colbert County Reporter.
Richard served on the National Trail of Tears Commission, the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission and the Old Railroad Bridge Commission. He received the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the Alabama Historical Association. He was a member of the Tennessee Valley Historical Society since 1963 where he served as President, Board Member, and editor of five journals and author of many articles. He contributed to creating and installing numerous historical markers. Richard was a member of the Kentucky Historical Society since 1960 and a charter member of the Caldwell County Historical Society. He was a member and past president of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the Tuscumbia Civitan Club, a member of the Muscle Shoals Antique Auto Club, and served as the Sheffield City Historian. He was an avid genealogist and enjoyed beekeeping.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty and brother, Joe.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Carol Sheridan; daughters, Vicki Harrison (Amos), Susan Schlaudt (Carl), Laura Armstrong (Ben), and Jennifer Stephens (Jay); grandchildren, Scott and David Harrison (Megan), Max and Rachel Armstrong, and William and Luke Stephens; and six great-grandchildren.
Family members will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to any local library.
