Karl Emory Richmond, 90, of Ocala, Florida passed away on Monday, May 6th , 2024, in Belleview, Florida. He was surrounded by loved ones.
Karl was born in Orrville, Ohio to William Emory & Ella Mae (Lehman) Richmond on November 12, 1933. He attended Geneva High School and received his GED. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the end of the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged in1955. He attended Kent State University. A true entrepreneur, Karl worked and built several businesses in his lifetime.
While working at True Temper in Ashtabula, OH he opened a billiard hall and spent his nights racking 8 and 9 ball tables for a nickel a rack. He had the opportunity to purchase a small mobile home park in Conneaut, OH with a farmhouse and 4 mobile homes. He continued to acquire nearby property and grew Mobile Grove Sites and Sales to 136 home sites. In 1978, he moved his family to Fort Myers, FL when he purchased Crews Concrete Pipe Company, a small manufacturer of concrete culverts.
He grew the pipe company for over 10 years until the competition couldn’t take it anymore and bought him out. He “retired”. Not able to remain idle for long, in 1991, he purchased Silver Springs Bottled Water Company in Ocala, FL, which bottled water in 5-gallon bottles. Karl turned the day-to-day operations over to youngest son Kane, who along with siblings Kirk, Cheryl, Keith (and with Karl’s input!) have grown the business over the years to include 3 additional bottled water plants in other states). He remained Chairman of the Board of Directors through 2024. Karl enjoyed life to the fullest.
Over the years, his leisure pursuits included snowmobiling, family boating vacations and water skiing, ski trips out west, road trips and travel. He owned many boats and small airplanes. He was a ruthless card player! He could talk to anybody and was exceptionally good at understanding people and helped many better their lives. He supported or served on boards and associations in the industries in which he worked. He made many personal and business friendships through the years. He was always happy to share his wit and wisdom with family, friends, and those he worked with. He cherished, supported, and celebrated with his family as it grew.
Karl is survived by his children: Kirk Richmond (Debbie) of Fort Myers, FL; Cheryl McPhillips (Mike) of Merrit Island, FL; Keith Richmond (Erin) of Crystal River, FL; and Kane Richmond (Angela) of Belleview, FL. Grandchildren: Kiel (Beth) Richmond; Kayla (John) Miller; Kenneth Richmond; Jessica (Christopher) Criss; Sierra McPhillips, Chase McPhillips; Michael Richmond; Sarah Rose Richmond; Joseph Richmond, Mason (Dominique) Richmond; Noah Richmond; Luke Richmond; Emma Richmond; Hannah Richmond; Laurel Richmond; and Grant Richmond, and 7 Great Granddaughters and 6 Great Grandsons. He is survived by his beloved companion Florine Feather of Ocala, sisters-in-law Edie Richmond, Janet Jones and Norma Gersper as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Margaret, in 2002, his second wife Ellie in 2023; father and mother William and Ella Richmond; brother, Oliver John (OJ) Richmond and half siblings Cleora, Terry (Rich), and Rollie Gersper.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Roberts of Ocala Funerals, 606 SW 2nd Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471 on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.