Colonel Richard Charles Yezzi, Retired

Richard Charles Yezzi, 81, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 11, 2014 in Atlanta, GA. Red or Dick, as he was known by his friends, was born November 27, 1932 in Erie, PA to the late Raymond and Anna Yezzi. Brother, father, husband and grandfather, he will be missed and is survived by his sister, Marce Myers; three children, Richard T. Yezzi, Cheri Kendall, John Yezzi, their mother Betty Brenner and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife of 24 years, Bonnie Yezzi; her three daughters, Holly Mays, Heidi Able and Heather Faust and 6 grandchildren. As a first generation American, with the pride of his Italian heritage, Red was the first member of his family to attend and graduate from Edinburgh State College. He earned many honors for his athletic endeavors and it was there too that his career with the US Marine Corps began. His Marine Corps career was a successful one, raising to the rank of Bird Colonel, serving and leading in combat, receiving the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star and "V" for valor. His integrity, ingenuity, hard work, relentless pursuit of excellence were well known and respected. One of his proudest Marine accomplishments was his role in developing and fielding the Stinger Missile, which helped change the world in the 1980's Charlie Wilson War. After his retirement from the Marines in 1980, he had a successful transition to the business world working at Aerojet, leading the SADARM program and Business Development integration. He remained with Aerojet until his retirement in 1991, when he focused on his lifelong passion of golf. The family of Richard Charles Yezzi would like to express how honored we all are to have had Red in our lives -- and we miss him greatly. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate his life at a service on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Red's name to the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org). Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770)886-9899