Richard Keith Alford, youngest son of Richard & Iris Alford of the Gaskin Community passed away peacefully on January 4 at the age of 69 surrounded by his wife and daughter Kelly. Rick (Keith, as he was affectionately known by those in Walton County) succumbed to the combined effects of Colon Cancer & Lung Cancer which he was diagnosed with back in the summer of 2023. Rick was born in 1954, in DeFuniak Springs where he went to school, worshiped and worked the land with his dad until he joined the Air Force. He served in the Air Force from 1972 to 1996 retiring in Centreville VA. He spent the next 20 years supporting the Intelligence Community. Rick then was able to follow his dream of returning to his childhood home on Alford Rd in DeFuniak Springs. He spent his final three years working to restore the homestead with the plan of building his final home.

Rick leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Debbie Alford of Alexandria VA, daughter Kelly Dobson (Lee) of Mount Pleasant, SC. Son Matthew Harold Alford of Oregon, daughter Amanda Jo Schwietzer of Washington DC and son Richard Bradley Alford of Dothan AL. Eleven grandchildren (Essence, Madison, Kayleigh, Taylor, Sydney, Vaughn, Austin, Cash, Capri, CJ, Isaac) and 3 great grandchildren, Brantley, Davian and Sophia. He is survived by his brother Bruce Gilbert Alford of Martinez, GA and sister, Sue A. Thorn of the Gaskin Community.

A time of visitation will be held from 6:00- 8:00 PM, Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 12, 2024 at Gasking First Baptist Church; 107 County Hwy 181 E, Westville, FL 32464; with Reverend David Barker officiating.

Flowers are being accepted.

Pallbearers will be Jason Beck, Phillip Currid, Lee Dobson, Michael Portch, Ray Burdick, and Ryan Peterson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Mike York, Robert Nobles, Bobby Collingsworth and Willard Beck

Burial will be held at Gaskin First Baptist Church Cemetery.