Richard Kenna Gaines Jr.

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at Northeast Florida Community Hospice, with his dear wife of 55 years, Windy, rubbing his back. Dick attended Lawrenceville Prep School, and was president of his house, graduating in 1951. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1955, served as a line officer on the USS Ranger, then joined the US Naval Reserves, serving as a Blue and Gold officer and instructor at NAS JAX. He retired from the USNR as a Lt. Commander after 25 years of devoted service.

While a reservist, he also worked as a full-time educator, starting his career at Landon Junior High, then teaching math at Ed White Senior High School for 20 years. In the evening, he worked as a math professor at FCCJ. In 1975, Dick earned an M.A. in Math Education from the University of Florida, and continued work there towards his PhD. in Educational Psychology.

His real passion was the piano, playing by age 4. Forever a lover of jazz, he formed his own jazz combos, (“The Sleepless Knights”, “The Dick Gaines Combo”), played for the Knights of Columbus, serving as the Grand Knight in 1971, and played in the First Coast Dixieland Band. In his spare time, he taught music professionally in his own studio, and was the organist at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.

Dick was a mathematician, wordsmith, lover of puzzles, collector of cards, devout Catholic, artist, non-stop curmudgeon, and a brilliantly funny man. His warm and compassionate philosophical humor and acerbic observations will be missed.

He is survived by his children: Mark Gaines, Julia Gaines, Tina Torrance, Rick Gaines, Kitty Anderson, Walter Gaines, and John Jenkins. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, and by his 3 younger sisters: Carlyle Sullivan, Maud Tarrant, and Annalou Wren, who all adored him unabashedly.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Northeast Florida Community Hospice. Memorial services will be held at a later date yet to be determined at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 429 S. Edgewood Ave. Jacksonville, FL.

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