Inghram, Richard C.

INGHRAM, BECKER, DAVIS

Posted By: Wagner (email)
Date: 4/14/2011 at 15:29:45

Source: The Morning Sun News-Herald, Thursday, April 14, 2011 accompanied by a photo.
Richard C. Inghram

Richard Curtis Inghram, 95, of Chesapeake, VA went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 31, 2011. He believed strongly that God created him for a purpose and that he fulfilled that purpose by focusing his efforts on studying God’s Word and dedicating his life to living by its guidance and direction. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 18, 1915 and spent his early years growing up on a farm near Burlington, Iowa. A talented baseball player, he once tried out with the Chicago Cubs and maintained a love of the game throughout his life.

Affectionately known to his friends as “Dick,” he joined the Navy in 1941 and served with distinction aboard several ships of the fleet, most notably the USS Lansdowne, DD 486. The Lansdowne was one of the destroyers called upon to support the Marines at Guadalcanal and had the unfortunate task of sinking the USS Wasp with torpedoes after it was deemed to be unsalvageable and needed to be kept from Japanese control. He was awarded the Purple Heart and received a medical retirement from the Navy as a lieutenant commander in 1946.

He was preceded in death by his younger brother of two years, Benjamin Arthur Inghram, a distinguished naval aviator who was shot down near Tokyo in World War II and never recovered.

He is survived by his younger brother of four years, Robert Daniel Inghram, a decorated Army Air Corps aviator who was shot down over the English Channel, taken prisoner by the Germans in World War II and eventually liberated by US forces at the end of the war.

Dick was a post commander of American Legion Post 112 in Morning Sun, Iowa and a member of the following organizations: The USS Lansdowne Association, The Navy League, The Tin Can Sailors, Inc., Guadalcanal Campaign, Veterans, U.S. Naval Institute, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Rifle Association, Military Officer Association of America, National Association for Uniformed Services and the Naval Reserve Association.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Mary Elizabeth Becker Inghram, originally of Harrisburg, PA, who has been waiting for him in heaven for 14 years and a son, Philip Bruce Inghram, who only spent several months on earth in 1958 before God called him home.

He is survived by his daughter; Margaret Jane Davis of Richmond, VA; his sons, Richard Becker Inghram of Coronado, CA, Daniel Curtis Inghram of Arlington, VA, Jonathan David Inghram of Chesapeake, VA and Stephen Paul Inghram of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Dick received his B.S. Degree from Iowa State University after the war and then returned to farm life near Morning Sun, Iowa where he lived for many years. After Mary went to be with her Lord in 1996 Dick eventually went to live with his son, Jon, and family in Chesapeake, VA where he continued to work the ground and grow a magnificent garden. He was one of the hardest working people on earth and had a powerful grip, known far and wide, that came from all those early years of milking cows by hand and doing all the other demanding tasks of one of the most noble vocations in America, farming the land.

His life is best represented by his teaching his children to love God’s World and love the Lord with all their hearts. Luke 4:4 adorned his license plate and it faithfully represents his motto in life, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” One of his last acts was to remind all who would listen that accepting Christ as Savior was the only way to get to heaven and join him there. One of his favorite verses was Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” He said, “I am hoping to see many of you in glory as I will see many I know who will be there when I arrive. You know hot to get there. Don’t miss the boat. Be seeing you there.” Dick will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. We have lost a powerful voice from the living choir. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to his favorite charity, Village Ministries International, 5350 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109.

NOTE: I am not related and have no further information.