GREENSBORO, NC—Mr. Richard G. Badgett, a long time lawyer, passed away quietly on February 27, 2014 following a lengthy period of declining health. He was born in Surry County to Bryan and Ada G. Badgett. Mr. Badgett graduated from Pilot Mountain High School in 1944 at the age of 16 and then attended N.C. State University. He left college to serve in the Navy in World War II from 1944 to 1946. Following his time in the Navy, he returned to finish at N.C. State after which he went to work for the… American Tobacco Company in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Mr. Badgett returned to North Carolina and entered the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill from which he graduated in 1959 and was admitted to practice in North Carolina on September 25, 1959. Following graduation, Mr. Badgett served as law clerk to Wilson J. Warlick, Federal Judge of the Western N.C. District. At age 33, Richard Badgett was appointed as Assistant Solicitor of the Forsyth County Superior Court, and in 1960 he entered into the private practice of law. Known affectionately to his lawyer friends as "Mr. PJC" and "Pappy", Richard Badgett was an admired leader of The Bar, and a colleague and advocate widely respected for his knowledge of the law and his gentle manner. He also received the Harvey Lupton award on September 19, 1980. Mr. Badgett served as President of the Forsyth County Bar Association from 1977 to 1978. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award by the Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Associatioin in 2004. In 2009 the North Carolina State Bar recognized Richard Badgett for 50 years of practice. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Badgett was elected in 1963 as chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Elections and served in that capacity for six years. He was a founder and organizer of Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, Inc. and served on its board of directors for 30 years. He interviewed bar candidates at Wake Forest School of Law for many years. He also served as secretary and attorney for the local VFW chapter in Winston-Salem for many years. Mr. Badgett is survived by his wife and best friend, Lou Badgett, who refused to let him leave home so she could care for him during his illness; sons, Richard G. Badgett, Jr. (Laura) of White River, South Africa and Kenneth Tuttle of Carolina Beach, NC; daughters, Deborah Sims of St. Petersburg, FL and Christine Weaver of McLeansville, NC; grandchildren, Amy Badgett of Winston-Salem, Gordon Badgett of Pensacola, FL, Anne Badgett of White River, South Africa, Ashley Roberts of Ft. Mill, SC, Julia Weaver of Greensboro, NC, and Alexandria Weaver of McLeansville, NC; as well as a brother, Frank Badgett of Pilot Mountain. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 7, 2014 at Burkhead United Methodist Church with Pastor Susie Taylor and Rev. Kevin Broyhill officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Guilford County, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworthmiller.com. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Angie and the girls at Leon's in Greensboro for all of their kind help during Mr. Badgett's illness.

as published by Hayworth Miller Funeral Home