Obituaries

Mr. Richard Walter Ackerson, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, went to his heavenly reward, on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. He was 66 years old.

A graveside service with DAV military rites will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2014, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton, with Rev. Dwayne Burks officiating. A memorial service will be held at Bethany Baptist Church, 2903 Goble Street, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2014. Rev. Dwayne Burks and Rev. Joe Owings will officiate.

Richard was born February 8, 1948, in Cumberland county, to the late Walter and Ruth Lovick Ackerson. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Tommy Lovick, and a sister, Elizabeth Hixon.

He graduated from Fayetteville Tech with an electronic engineering degree then served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Afterwards he worked for Baxter International and Picker International and was founder of American Healthcare and Southern Imaging of which he was president and CEO. He was co-founder of Schief Medical with Martin Schief of Germany. He was an active member of Bethany Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher for over 10 years and was a deacon, elder, and church treasurer. Richard loved to fish, hunt, and target shoot, but his greatest joy was time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Eurey Ackerson, of the home; a son, David Ackerson and wife Jessica of Lincolnton; an aunt, Lucille Hayes of Wade, NC; a cousin, Donnie Chapman of Raeford; a number of nieces and nephews; and five grandchildren, Cadence Ackerson, Eli and Caroline Walker, and Will and Lily Edwards.

Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 2903 Goble Street, Gastonia, NC 28056.