LIVINGSTON Richard Edwin Abercrombie of Livingston died peacefully at Timberwood Nursing Home on June 30, 2012. He had been a resident of Timberwood for only 12 days. He was 97 years of age and lived a very active life until six months ago.

Richard was born on March 8, 1915 in Leggett, to John Thomas Abercrombie and Maud Rice. He grew up in Leggett, working the land with his father and siblings and grew to love the family home place. This would be his home away from home for the rest of his life.

Richard is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and John Lee Wingate; his granddaughter, Karri Dunn; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother and his 14 siblings.

As so many of his peers, he chose to fight for his country during World War II. He joined the Marines in August, 1942, served in the Pacific, and was discharged on Nov. 5, 1945. His love for his country was ever present as he chose what organizations to support for the rest of his life. He came home and went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. He worked for them for 34 years. It was there that he met his wife of 37 years, Carolyn Osborn. He convinced her to retire at the same time he did. So, on March 8, 1980, they both retired from Soutwestern Bell and began their journey to make Polk County their home. Richard was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Livingston, and a faithful member of the Friendship Sunday School Class. He was a member of Trinity 14 Masonic Lodge, Shepherd Chapter 1003 Eastern Star, Corrigan Chapter 631 Eastern Star, American Legion in Livingston and VFW Post 8568 in Livingston, where he was a founding member of the VFW Honor Guard. He retired from the Honor Guard on his 95th birthday.

Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Cochran Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at First United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. on July 4, with burial to follow in Rice Cemetery in Leggett. Pallbearers will be the VFW Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers are the Trinity Lodge 14 Masons. Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online register, go to www.cochranfh.com.