Mr. Richard Lewis "Dick" Player

Mr. Richard L. “Dick” Player, Jr., of Fayetteville, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on August 3, 1934, in Wilmington, North Carolina to the late Richard Lewis Player Sr. and Jane Windley Player.

He was the valedictorian  of the class of 1952 at Fayetteville High School.  He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in 1956.  He received his masters in engineering in 1957 from University of Illinois.  

He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force where he tested atomic weapons in the Pacific Ocean during his brief military enlistment.  

He was devoted member of St. John's Episcopal Church where he served as a Junior Warden.  He was very active and had a strong passion for his church.

Dick joined the family business Player Inc., in 1960, and served as president from 1961 until 1991.  He previously worked with his father and his two cousins Henry and Lonnie developed the company into what it is today.   He was most proud of their ability to work as a family.  Their biggest project was Westwood Shopping Center.   He was most proud of the numerous religious institutions the company was able to build for the community, including Highland Presbyterian Church, Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, and his own church St. John's Episcopal Church just to name a few.  Dick thought of all of his employees and associates as an extension of his family.  

Dick, was a devoted, loving husband, father,  and proud grandfather.  His wife Margaret Ann was the love of his life; his love and devotion to her was what he lived for.  They celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary last June.

He was a man of high integrity who had a great character and passion to help others. Traveling with his wife,  playing golf with his friends, and watching  Duke basketball brought most enjoyment to him. Dick and Margaret Ann loved attending North Carolina and Fayetteville Symphony's.  

He was a former member of the BB&T corporate board of directors.  He also served many roles on the Methodist University board of trustees to include a former chairman.  

He is survived by his wife Margaret Ann Riddle Player, of Fayetteville, NC; one daughter Molly Player, of Greensboro, NC; one son Richard L. Player III and wife Jeanne Adams Player, of Fayetteville, NC ; and two grandsons Richard "Lewis" Player, IV and Charles "Harrison" Player, both of Fayetteville, NC; one sister-in-law Mary Davis Riddle, of Charlotte, NC; two cousins Henry C. Player, Jr. and Lonnie M. Player, Jr. both of Fayetteville, NC.  

A special thanks to Home Instead and his caregivers Pat McKeag, LaShawn Monroe, Veronica Henderson, Sarah King, Alex McClain, Tony Hill, and Mae Corum and the caring staff of Autumn Care of Fayetteville.  

A private family graveside will be held at Lafayette Memorial Park.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2015 at St. John’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Robert Alves officiating.  The family will receive friends in the Kyle House at St. John's Episcopal Church following service.  

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Methodist University 5400 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311or St. John’s Episcopal Church 302 Green Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service and Crematory, of Fayetteville, NC.