DEMAS, RICHARD

Richard Edward Demas, of St Johnsbury, Vt., passed away on Monday Jan. 15, 2024. Ric was born July 1, 1945, the eldest of five to Merrill Demas and Hazel (Pittsley) Demas of South Barre, Vermont. Ric grew up in South Barre and graduated Spaulding High in 1964. Following graduation, Ric enlisted in the Navy, and after training at the Naval Training Center Great Lakes, he served on the USS Yorktown for two years in the Far East Pacific as a Radioman.

Ric returned home to Vermont and worked for Sprague Electric in Barre. He met and married Barbara Noyes in 1972 and welcomed the birth of his only child, Lorie. Following Barbara’s death, Ric moved to Arizona to work as a prison guard, sheriff’s deputy and later joined the Air National Guard Security Forces as a security policeman stationed in Phoenix. After 17 years, Ric separated from the guards and remained in Arizona where he worked as a part-time police officer for a number of years in Jerome, a ghost town north of Phoenix before returning to Vermont in 2013.

Though quiet and unassuming, Ric led a very adventurous life through his hobbies and interests rooted in his military experience and training. While stationed in the Navy in Long Beach, Ric took up skydiving and piloting with hundreds of jumps and attaining a multi-engine pilot license. Later Ric certified as a scuba diver with many dives to his credit.

Ric was also an avid Ham Radio operator (AB7AY) and would find time to play a variety of musical instruments. He enjoyed his bike rides through town, walks at the mall, many many nights at the movies and talking with friends over coffee and books. Ric could strike up a conversation with any stranger and always found a topic of interest to talk about.

Ric leaves behind his daughter Lorie and her son Tyler of St Johnsbury, Vermont, brothers Gary (Mary), of Niles, Illinois and Bill (Geri) of Summerville, South Carolina along with many nieces and nephews. Ric was pre-deceased by his parents, wife Barbara, sister Merrilyn Garcia, and brother Mike.

A military service will be held Thursday, May 9 at 11 a.m. at Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 487 Furnace Road, Randolph Center, VT, 05601

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com