Richard Elson Paddock

Born December 14, 1941, in Stockton, Calif., Richard Elsom Paddock was a bearded, Hershey’s loving, cat snuggling, tuba playing, coffee drinking, Santa-lookalike man who believed deeply in peace, justice, and feminism. Richard (Dick) left this mortal coil on May 22nd, 2024, at the young age of 82. Dick was a Sci-Fi and Fantasy nerd. He loved The Lord of the Rings and Star Trek not only for the fantasy and sci-fi aspects, but also for the lessons they taught. He had a quick wit, an easy laugh, dad jokes for days, and one of the biggest hearts ever known.

Dick was incredibly intelligent. He obtained a bachelor’s degree at Stanford, then a master’s in physics at Duke University. He turned his analytical skills to programming computers in the Stone Age when punch cards were used in computers that took up the entire room.

He met his first wife Patti while at Duke University while working on civil rights projects. They married and had two children, Heather and Reuben, along with fostering four children while they were together. After their divorce, he remained a devoted father, continued his work as a programmer at Research Triangle Institute, and promoted civil rights, equality, and justice. He was a Second Vice President of the NAACP Chapel Hill chapter, member of Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom, treasurer of Southern Anti-Racism Network, and arrestee at Moral Monday protests.

Dick loved music. He was a tuba player starting in high school, he played in the Stanford marching band, the Durham symphony, and a brass quintet.

His children introduced him to his second wife, Valeria Laws in 1993. He would go on to say that she was the love of his life. They were only together for a short seven years as Valeria passed in 2000. Valeria left an indelible mark on all of our lives. Her three children and eight grandchildren called him “Papa Dick.”

Dick was a great listener and because of that was a bit of a chick-magnet. However, he was unaware of this because he was very humble, never one to “toot his own tuba.” So, we will. We will sign off with the phrase that he ended all his correspondence: “Justice then Peace”

Richard is preceded in death by his father Khleaber Elsom Paddock and mother Laura Lee Paddock. He is survived by his two children, Heather Paddock and Reuben Paddock, sister Jean Sahyoun, nephew Alex Sahyoun, stepchildren Terri Givens and Melissa Laws.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Chapel Hill Chapter, or the NAACP. A Celebration of Life for Dick Paddock will be held later this summer. The family will send invitations.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Paddock family.