Rick & Joyce Richards Celebrate 60th Anniversary

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

by Rick Richards

Joyce & Rick a day after their wedding

One day during the month of September 1951 while still in the Navy and on liberty with my shipmate named Bill, I was introduced to his friend Joyce. At that time I was stationed at the Miramar Naval Air Station and Joyce lived in Linda Vista. I guess it must have been a good connect, because after a short three months of courtship, we decided to be permanent partners and on December 9th 1951, we became husband and wife. One year later we became parents of our first born, Terry Lynn Richard.

On May 31st 1953, my enlistment was completed and we decided the Military life was not for us so I became a civilian. In March 1955, our second daughter was born, Antoinette Diane (Toni) Richard.

After several years working in the Retail business, Joyce decided it was time to try a new field and became an Immigration Officer working on the gates at the San Ysidro Border Crossing, a job she really loved. That was quite a rough job for a woman.

After a period of time she decided to leave and became a full time housewife. She now takes care of our big home and spends whatever time she has left to go shopping - a past time she loves (shop till she drops) and really good at it.

I continued working until 1994 when I retired as a Contract Administrator with the Defense Logistic Agency. Upon leaving the government service I became a licensed Real Estate Agent working for various agencies - and still licensed.

After living and renting in the Linda Vista area, for ten years, we decided it was time to purchase our own home. After a lot of house shopping we finally found a place we could qualify to buy and on Washington's Birthday 1965 we finally moved into our newly built home in East Clairemont, where we still live today.

Joyce & Rick these days

While Joyce is enjoying her shopping and taking care of our home I continue to spend my time as an active life member with the Kearny Mesa VFW Post 3788. I also serve as a Board Member with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 2, a member of the Naval Minewarfare Association and still remain active with the Clairemont Town Council after serving three terms as a CTC Board Member.

Over these past 60 years we have been blessed with two grandsons by Terry, one granddaughter by Toni, and one great granddaughter by Terry's youngest son.