February 15, 1929 - January 23, 2009
 

Richard Lee Fernandes, 79, of Coahoma, died Friday, January 23, 2009, at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale.

He was born February 15, 1929 in West Virginia to Mary and Jack Fernandes. He was a retired commercial pilot, aircraft mechanic, ham radio and coast guard radio operator and maintenance inspector. Mr. Fernandes was a member of Lula Methodist Church. He served in the U. S. Coast Guard and received the Charles Taylor Award for outstanding achievement in all facets of aviation.

Mr. Fernandes is survived by his wife, Betty Fernandes of Coahoma; three daughters, Carolyn Fernandes of Port Richey, Fla., Sue Norman of Indianapolis, Ind., and Andy Liford of Rochester, Ind.; two sons, David Fernandes and Donald Fernandes, both of Indianapolis, Ind.; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at a later date.