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MURFREESBORO – Richard Allen Sypolt, age 72, of Murfreesboro, passed away peacefully, on January 14, 2020 at home.

Mr. Sypolt was born on March 13, 1947 to the late Paul and Helen Urban Sypolt in Pittsburgh, PA. Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He worked as a Nursing Assistant for Veterans Administration.

Richard served in the United States Army from March 1966 until February 1970, as Medical Corpsman. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor H&H Company in Germany. Richard was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in Germany in 1968 and subsequently awarded the Soldier’s Medal for rescuing two individuals badly wounded from an area littered with unexploded ordinances. He served in Vietnam from February 1969 until February 1970 in the Evacuation Hospital and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Purple Heart Medal.

Richard participated in four campaigns in the Vietnam War: Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI; Tet 69 Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 and Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 receiving a bronze service star for each campaign listed. While part of the 12 Evacuation Hospital he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal. Following his military service Richard working at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Aspinwall, PA until his retirement.

Richard attended Westmoreland Community College and received a degree in Criminal Justice. He furthered his employment as a corrections officer with Allegheny Prison before moving from Apollo, PA to Murfreesboro, NC in July 2008. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all that knew him. Richard was a member of Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, a DAV and a member of the American Legion in Ahoskie, NC.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David L. Sypolt; a great granddaughter, Trinity Alyson Brinker; and sister-in-law, Carol Sypolt.

Richard is survived by his wife, Barbara Gradwell Sypolt; three daughters, Wanda G. Moss and partner Jason Goddard of Suffolk, VA, Cynthia L. Main and husband, John of York, PA, and Deborah A. Sypolt of York, PA; four grandsons, Richard Brinker, wife Stephanie & son Donovan of Franklin, VA, Michael Murray and fiancé Kendra Young of Suffolk, VA, Joshua Main and Cheyne Main of York, PA; granddaughter, Erica Brinker of Steubenville, OH; two brothers, Paul Sypolt of New Kensington, PA, Thomas Sypolt, wife, Linda of Pittsburgh, PA;  special extended family, Kevin Goddard, wife, Mary Jo & son Kaiser of Corapeake, NC; Daniel Goddard and Brandon Goddard of Suffolk, VA;  Preston Bowers, wife, Jessica & son Terrance of Suffolk, VA; Lorrin Knight of Holland, VA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 18, 2020, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel-Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro, NC.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020, 2 p.m. at the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, NC, with Rev. Jason Villegas, officiating.

Graveside service will be Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 10 a.m. at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.

Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Sypolt family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.