Richard E. Chamness

Born September 25, 1949, in Honolulu, Hawaii, he graduated from Southeast High School in 1967 where he was involved in basketball, football and baseball.

He then attended the University of South Florida and graduated with an Associates Degree in business in 1971. He worked as a dispatcher for a building supply company for a few years before opening his own hardware store.

Richard bought the land, built the building and served the community for more than 40 years with his successful business Manasota Plumbing and Hardware. If people couldn’t find what they were looking for, they could count on him to either have it or know where to find it! He was known to keep obsolete parts and his shop was one of the only places in town that would cut pipe. He was well known, well liked and very respected in the area. People just loved him!

Richard also worked with his dad, Eugene Chamness, on developing several properties in the area. They built dozens of duplexes and homes together. Most notably, the homes in the neighborhood of 5th St Cir East, which now is known as “Chamness Park”.

Richard had a son, Brian Chamness, and Brian gave him three beautiful granddaughters whom he adored.

He met Kathy Walker, his beloved companion in 2006, and they spent 17 years together. They had a tremendous circle of friends and enjoyed traveling the region with their softball family. They had season tickets for years to see the Tampa Bay Rays play and they enjoyed as much time as they could with their children and grandchildren.

Richard was an avid softball player for more than 30 years. He played with the Wednesday night softball team in Venice and also traveled the region with the Florida Half Century Senior League. Richard and his teams won many tournaments and championships. His generosity was well known, and he fully sponsored three teams with uniforms and all sponsorship fees between the two leagues for many years. Due to all of this, Richard was inducted into the Florida Half Century Hall of Fame.

He is survived by three granddaughters Emily, Isabelle, and Alexis and various cousins and other relatives including Kathy’s children and grandchildren who adored him. Richard was predeceased by his parents Eugene and Catherine (Katie) Chamness and his son, Brian Chamness.

A memorial service celebrating the life of both Richard and Kathy will be held at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Manasota Memorial Park on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Visitation will begin at 9 AM with the service beginning at 10 AM. Burial and reception to follow.

Donations in his memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ManasotaMemorial.com for the Chamness family.