During World War II, he served in one of the most dangerous elements of the Pacific Theater for three years and came home without a scratch. But on March 26, he lost his battle with lung cancer in Woodbine Nursing Home.
John C. Richards, 78, a life-long Alexandrian and owner of Potomac Arms, was a true representative of what has been dubbed "The Greatest Generation." Prior to graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a SeaBee. He served throughout the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946 as a member of the 71st SeaBee Battalion.
"When he came home he went to work for Herbie's Ford. But almost the first day, he got drain oil in his eyes and decided that was not for him," according to his son Steve, who now operates Potomac Arms at 0 Prince St. "He then tried the concrete business and eventually osmosed into the arms business."
As an avid hunter he traveled extensively to such locales as Alaska, Texas, Canada and Africa. He and his long-time employee, James Robertson, managed Potomac Arms until his son Steve joined the firm in 1974, after completing college.
"He was a well-known character in Alexandria and could talk the pants off anyone with his tales of hunting and World War II," Steve related. The SeaBees were a special breed of contractor/builders that carved airfields and military installations out of island jungles, even as battles were raging around them, thus, enabling Allied Forces to increase the speed and effectiveness of their advance toward Japan.
IN 1992, Richards' other son Mark, opened a military surplus store on the ground floor of the same building. It is known as "Full Metal Jacket." According to Steve Richards, "Mark is now selling thousands of dollars worth of items to a worldwide market."
Another employee of Richards was William G. Bunny, now a detective with the Alexandria Police Department. He worked at Potomac Arms from 1979 to 1984. "It was my first job right out of high school. He was a big hunter and I liked hunting and hearing all his stories," Bunney said.
"He ate lunch almost everyday at Chadwicks, just across the street. There was a large memorial reception for him there last week. We had so many flowers that they had to put them on the loading dock over at Potomac Arms," Bunney explained.
Richards was born in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 1925, to Hazel and Cougar Richards. He died just three months short of his 79th birthday, "almost to the day," according to Steve Richards.
In addition to his two sons, Richards is survived by his daughter Patty and two grandchildren, Jason and Terry Clancy. His wife, Meredith Goodwin Richards, died in 1998.