Richard P. Governor

Richard P. Governor, of Gulfport, MS passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Mr. Governor was born June 13, 1935 in Boston, MA. At the age of 18, he enlisted into the military to serve his country. In 1958, the Air Force assigned Richard to Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS. While stationed at Keesler, he met his wife of 57 years, Norma Smith. While serving his country and raising a family, Richard earned his Bachelors' of Science Degree and Masters of Education Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Richard was active in the Air Force until 1958, but continued to serve his country in the Civil Service, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves. His civil service career included serving the Strategic Air Command at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. In 1980, Richard was called to duty to establish the communications for Operation Eagle Claw ordered by President Jimmy Carter to attempt the rescue of 52 hostages at the embassy in Iran. While serving at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Richard served as Commander of the 433rd Communications Division. During his tenure at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin Texas, he served as Director of Communications of the 10th Air Force Flight Division which was responsible for flying satellites for the Air Force Space Command in support of the Department of Defense and NOAA. Richard retired from the Civil Service at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX after 33 years of dedicated service. In 1994, after proudly serving his country for 40 years, Richard retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force Reserves.
Richard's strong belief in the Catholic Church and community lead him to be an active member in the Knights of Columbus, attaining 4th degree status, serving two consecutive terms as Grand Knight in the Gulfport Council, the St. John Neumann Council in San Antonio, Texas and St John Vianney Council in Houston, TX.
Richard established a sporting goods store in San Antonio, TX to serve and support the local schools and youth sport leagues. Later in life he would serve as an educator in the Cy-Fair School District in Houston, TX.
Mr. Governor was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Fitzgerald Governor and Margaret Kennedy Governor, his brothers Arthur and Kenneth Governor; his sister Jean Flynn, and his great grandson Elijah Earl Smith.
Survivors include his wife Norma Jean Governor; his children; Judith A. Smith, Margaret J. Crawley, Walter J. Governor, Helen E. Poast, Richard P. Governor, Marian R. Gest, Philip Governor; his grandchildren; C. Bradley Smith, C. Ryan Smith, Jordan A. Smith, Jeremy R. Crawley, D. Adam Crawley, Audrey J. Governor, Kara M. Governor, Comron Moeni, Kaihon Moeni, Mehron Moeni, and Hannah M. Gest; and great grandchildren; C. Jack Smith and Emma N Smith.
The family would like to thank the staff of Bay Cove Assisted Living and the personnel at Gulfport Memorial Hospital.
Friends are invited to visit the Governor family from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2016 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 22 at St. James Catholic Church, Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.
The online guestbook may be viewed and signed www.riemannfamily.com.