Richard Outler, Sr. was born in Dublin, Georgia on October 22, 1933, and received his wings on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at St Francis Hospital, Roslyn, New York. Richard was the 13th child in a family of 16 children by Charlie and Lillie Mae Outler. I can’t imagine that many children in one household. However, his father Charlie was the 6th child of 11 children. Richard’s early childhood days were spent in Dublin, going to school, playing basketball and working at the Family Store next to the house. Richard’s teen years and early adult life were spent in Florida, before he moved to Brooklyn, New York.

In New York, Richard pursued many avenues to fulfill his love of music. Richard became the A&R representative for R & B music for Columbia/Roadshow Records, in the 1970’s. There he met several of his favorite recording artists: Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Miles Davis, Sly and the Family Stone, The Manhattans, Johnny Mathias and several other artists.

Richard ‘s other passions were cooking and family. His love of cooking led him to managing Junior’s Restaurant in (Brooklyn, NY) and with him taking chances of opening up his own restaurants, in Queens and New Jersey and South Carolina. You could smell the delicious aromas from miles around.

Richard’s love of family included anytime was a good time to get together. Eldert Street (his brother Eugene’s house) or Bushwick Ave (Richard and Barb’s house) was always filled with music, food and laughter. Everyone was Welcome and you could hear the music down the street.

His love of music and family was with him until he was called home. The Famous Jazz Hands waving, dancing in the backyard at the impromptu barbecues, He could really get a party started and you couldn’t do anything else but laugh and join in on the fun. Listening to the songs in the car with his old school buddy his Great-granddaughter Elle. Plotting with his grandsons, Kenny, Elliott, and Jay “for the Big Escape” Loving his son Jeff and daughter-in-law Pamela’s cooking saying the rest of us can’t cook. Giving his granddaughter Jazz the nod & thumbs up knowing he was going to get more desserts.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Lillie Mae, his loving wife of over 60+ years Barbara E. Outler, his son, Gregory C. Outler, his granddaughter, Leiah Belin, and grandson Kareem Outler, brothers Willie, Johnnie B, James, Melvin, Allen T, Charles Ruben, Eugene, and Glenn, his sisters: Gladys (Sista), Mattie, Ruthie M, Elizabeth, and Margaret.

Richard is survived by his youngest sister, Louise Outler, Mrs. Eugenia Outler (sister-in law)

His Children: Ernestine Michelle Rivers (Kenneth Rivers Sr.; deceased Stephen Merritt), Nadine Bluford- Derricotte (Kevin Derricotte), Patricia Belin (Stanley Belin Sr.), Regina Outler, Doreen Rodriquez (Raymond Rodriquez, Sr.), Richard Outler Jr. (Sheila Ford-Outler), Jeffrey Outler Sr. (Pamela Jenkins- Outler), Leticia Outler.

His Grandchildren: Kenneth R. F. Rivers (Keisha Rivers) , Tor Derricotte, Chanelle Davis, Taylor Outler, Aaliyah Outler, Dominique Outler, Jazmyn Epperson (Elliot Epperson), Jeffrey Outler Jr. (Lina Outler), Jeremiah Jenkins II, Sabrina Outler, Jaydn Outler, Gabrielle Ellis, Phoenix Outler, Samia Benton, Stanley ‘Ronnie’ Belin Jr., Terreia Mitchell (Dr. Noah Mitchell), Allen Outler (Atia Outler), Monique Outler, Shon Vasquez (La’Shuanta Vasquez), Na’eem Outler, Celeste Bridges Vasquez, Larry Outler, Raymond Rodriquez III, Peter Rodriquez (Jordan); Kayne Dixon

He has 53 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren to celebrate his legacy.

Loving Family: Gwendolyn (Nancy) Horton and Thomas Horton, Tonya and Raymond Berry, Eugene and Dita Outler, Jr., Mrs. Octavia Jenkins, Chantel Jenkins-Sims and Nyzaj Thomas He also adopted four sons into his life Marvin Boyle, Dorian Brown, Lashawn (Shock) Gaskins, Derrell (Holla) Gaskins. The entire Coker, Ham, Martin, and Wilson families, the entire Outler Family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and family friends.

The Outler Family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionists and staff at Mercy Hospital and Grand Pavilion for Rehabilitation and Nursing, both of Rockville Centre, NY, St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, NY and Glengariff Rehabilitation in Glen Cove, NY for their excellent care of our father and making him smile and allowing him to enjoy his music. Each facility treated him with dignity and professionalism and kept us informed. They laughed with him and talked to him and gave us comfort knowing he was in their hands. Thank you.

OUR DAD’S FAVORITE SAYING “ WHO LOVES YOU BABY!!!”