Richie Alford died attempting to save two men from drowning, Panama City Beach, Florida, June 15, 2023. Two men were swept out in a rip current in the Gulf of Mexico on a day when conditions warranted red beach flags that indicated “no swimming”. Alerted on the beach to their peril, Alford, 52, contractor, ran into the surf and then swam out in the rip current toward the men, who were struggling about 70 feet from shore and about 20 feet apart. As the current swept Alford out and waves crashed over him, the rip current carried the two men farther out until it dissipated enough for them to swim parallel to the beach. The men made their way back to the beach on their own, uninjured, while Alford struggled in the water, fighting the current and the waves. Minutes later, witnesses saw him face-down in the surf. With difficulty because of the conditions, lifeguards pulled Alford from the water and emergency personnel took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He had drowned.
2023-0000014-10502Obituary
Richmond Don “Richie” Alford, age 52, of Lula, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Born on January 12, 1971, in Gulfport, Mississippi, he was a son of Robert Don Alford and Marjorie Mott Alford of Maysville. Richie retired from Banks County Fire Department as a Captain and upon retirement, he became the owner and operator of Habersham Glass. He never met a stranger and helped all those in need, which he did continuously at the fire department and in his day-to-day life. Richie was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and motorcycling. He was also a sportsman who liked playing sports, coaching sports, and cheering on LSU. Mr. Alford was a talented bass player who played with Crimson Flow and New Horizon. Not only did he enjoy playing the bass, but he also enjoyed attending Bluegrass Festivals. Richie liked to eat, but he loved his family more. Mr. Alford was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Lula.
In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife of 20 years, Pam Mote Alford of Lula; children: Michael Alford of Lula, Kimberly McDaniel of Carnesville, and Sean McDaniel of Ringgold; stepsons Bill Redmon of Gray Court, South Carolina, and Chase Martin of Athens; grandchildren: Lucas, Richmond Zena “Butterbean,” Charlie, Emmett, and Colby; brothers Aaron Alford of Dillard and Brandon Alford of Franklin, North Carolina; sisters Ruby Parrish of Maysville and Amanda Ammons of Gillsville; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.