Richard L. Ewell, 59, of Gloucester, beloved son of the late Elizabeth C. and Marvin W. Ewell died at Riverside Convalescent Center-Saluda, his final home, on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011.

Born on June 1, 1952 in Richmond, he lived most of his life in Williamsburg, Va., but loved visiting family and friends throughout the Middle Peninsula. He was baptized as an infant at the First Presbyterian Church in Gloucester.

Diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome, Richard far out-lived his life-expectancy and accomplished many great things. He didn’t just learn to walk…he learned to ride a bike and better yet, to dance. He not only mastered talking…he would sing along with his favorite country songs, and could say a heart wrenching prayer. He not only learned to feed himself…he loved to eat and could devour a McDonald’s hamburger or anybody’s pepperoni pizza.

Richard was "home schooled" by his mom and dad, and Grandmother Florence during his early years. He attended Sarah Bonwell Hudgins in Hampton and Southeastern Training School in Chesapeake as a young adult. He enjoyed participating in the activities of the ARC of the Peninsula and in the Special Olympics of Virginia as an adult. He loved his farm animals and to go fishing with his dad.

Richard will always be remembered with love by his cousins and their families, Jim and Eva Towell, legal guardians of Gloucester; Boyd and Linda Clements of Gloucester; Sally and Kelly Perdue of Springfield, Va.; Will and Sandra Clements of Warsaw, Va.; and Almeda S. Clements of Fredericksburg, Va. Sadly he was preceded in death by two of his favorite people, John S. Clements and Marjorie C. Lawson.

Graveside funeral service will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 in the Clements Family Plot at Olive Branch United Methodist Church Cemetery, Harcum, Va. The Rev. Dr. Douglas Nagel of First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery.

To show appreciation for the wonderful life he found at "The Saluda Home" and to honor his friends and caregivers there, the family asks that you make any donations in his memory to the Middlesex Auxiliary to the Convalescent Center, Saluda, P.O. Box 1171, Saluda, Va. 23149.

And as a final tribute to Richard’s life consider following his example:

Greet Everyone as a Friend; Laugh Often; Enjoy a Good Meal; and Never Stop Dancing.

Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point.