Richard Arden White, 63, a resident of Grafton, passed from this life in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 29, 2013 at the Hospice Regional Inpatient Center in Elkins. Rick had been battling small cell lung cancer since January 2009. Rick was born Wednesday, January 4, 1950 in Wheeling and was adopted by the late D. Arden and Dorothy Crow White two days after his birth. On August 3, 1990, in Rockville, MD, Rick married the former Barbara Huffman who survives in Grafton. They enjoyed twenty three years of marriage. Others left to cherish Rick’s memory are: one step daughter: Anastasia Opyoke, four step grandchildren: Cable Cruikshank, Xavier Alston and Blaise and Jada Opyoke and his mother-in-law Rosalie E. Huffman. Preceding Rick in death besides his parents was his father-in-law, David H. Huffman, and brother-in-law, David H. Huffman III. Rick graduated from Triadelphia High School in Wheeling in 1967. He then went on to West Liberty College in Wheeling to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and West Virginia University in 1989 with a Masters Degree in Economics. He was employed from 1990 to 2000 by the Association of American Law School in Washington, DC where he created surveys for law professors analyzing the data for publication in law journals. Rick served the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous on various committees at the group, area and regional level. His greatest joy came when he served as Regional Delegate having the opportunity to go to the World Conference and work with recovering addicts from around the world. His passion was serving the adolescent unit at Chestnut Ridge Hospital not missing any meetings until September of this year. Rick, in his younger days, played bass guitar and wrote music and lyrics for rock n’ roll bands throughout West Virginia. Some of his bands included Jubal, Paradise Rangers and Joey Rose. He had many friends with whom he played including Bob, Paul, Mark and Randy. Rick loved watching his grandson Xavier play middle and high school sports including skeet shooting with the 4-h Rifle Club. Richard’s request for cremation was honored. A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, October 20, 2013 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at the South Ridge Church, 1659 Fairmont Avenue in Fairmont, WV.
