Lt. Col. US Air Force (Ret) Richard Evan Holley Sr., 88, of Farmville, passed away on September 30, 2016. He was born in Martins Ferry, OH on May 29, 1928, a son of the late Evan Alfred Holley and Susan Linn Perry Holley.

Richard served his country for 32 years and retired from the United States Air Force as Lt. Colonel. He was a life member of Mason Blue Lodge, Parthenon Lodge #2 in Athens, Greece, and the BPOE Ohio River Valley Lodge 231 in Martins Ferry, OH. Prior to moving to Farmville, he served as Exhaulted Ruler at the Elks National Home, Bedford.

He is survived by his six children, Alix Lowe of Tucson, AZ, Richard “Rich” Holley Jr. and his wife, Toni of Waldorf, MD, Michael Forrest Holley and wife, Cathy of Marana, AZ, Forrest Lowe of Indianapolis, IN, Bingham Lowe of Phoenix, AZ, and Christine Andreotta of Tucson, AZ; eight grandchildren, Nicholas Andreotta and wife, Monica of Tucson, AZ, Kacey Andreotta of Tucson, AZ, Bethany Holley of Marana, AZ, Richard Holley III of Waldorf, MD, Tara Houser and husband, Andrew of Apollo Beach, FL and Erin Holley of San Antonio; three great-grandchildren, Evan Houser, Nathan Houser and Madelyn Wing; one sister, Cora Louise Cummins Myers and husband, Paul of Westminster, SC; one brother, James Perry Holley and wife, Gerda of Holland, MI; also numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

A service and celebration of Richard’s life will be conducted at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

To send condolences online please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family.