Richard A. "Dick" Carothers

            Richard A. “Dick” Carothers, 97, of Altoona died Thursday afternoon November 28, 2019, at The Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg.

            He was born July 15, 1922 in Altoona, a son of the late Cecil B. and Laura R. (Moore) Carothers. He married E. Marjorie Mattern on July 16, 1955, at Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church, Altoona. She preceded him in death on December 24, 2012.

            Surviving are two children, daughter Jane L. Carothers and her husband Dewey Adams of Altoona; son, James R. Carothers and his wife Carlene of Altoona; and grandchildren Ian R. Adams of Altoona, Sarah Adams of Columbus, OH, and Emily M. Carothers of Altoona.

            Dick was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred Carothers, James Carothers and Charles Carothers, and a sister, Virginia Hughes.

            Mr. Carothers was a life member of Providence Presbyterian Church, Altoona, formerly First Presbyterian Church, Altoona, where he served as an elder and trustee, taught the Men’s Sunday School class, and sang in the choir.  As a youth, he and his brothers belonged to the Knights of King Arthur, led by his father at the First Presbyterian Church.

            He was a 1940 graduate of Altoona High School; a 1949 graduate of Juniata College with a BS degree; and a 1952 graduate of Dickinson School of Law with an LL.B. degree.

            He was a U.S. Army veteran serving during WWII, attaining the rank of Tec 5 (Technical Corporal) serving with the 228th Military Police Prisoners of War Processing Platoon in the Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France and Rhineland theatres. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead.

            Dick was admitted to the Bar on March 23, 1953, and was a practicing attorney for over 60 years with the Jubelirer, Carothers, Krier & Halpern law office of Altoona.  For a number of years he taught real estate classes at night school, first at the Altoona High School, and later at the Altoona campus of the Penn State University.  Prior to his legal career, he worked in the advertising department at the Altoona Mirror and the payroll office at the Pennsylvania Railroad.

            He was a member of Mountain Lodge #281 F. & A.M. for over 70 years; a member of Jaffa Shrine; and a member of the Altoona Shrine Club. He was affiliated locally with the Boy Scouts of America for a number years as an advisor. He was also formerly a member of the Altoona Jaycees.

             Dick began running in the 1970’s, and continued until he was in his 80’s.  For the last three years, he was a regular member at the Revival Fitness gym in Altoona. 

            “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” –attrib. to Winston Churchill.

            Friends will be received from 4-8 p.m. Thursday December 5, 2019 at Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona where a Masonic funeral service will be held at 8:00 p.m. and also from 10-11 a.m. Friday December 6, 2019 where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dennis Braun officiating with military honors to follow. Interment will be made at Alto Reste Park Cemetery.  

            In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations please be made to Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601 or to the Jaffa Shrine “Capital Campaign”, PO Box 1984, Altoona, PA 16603-1984.

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