Richard "Richie" LaVern Gill III

A son, a father, a brother and a treasured friend to many, Richard Lavern Gill lll reminded us that life is all too short and should be cherished every day. 

The third in his line to bear his name, Richard, 36, was called to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, after succumbing to heart problems related to other medical issues. 

Richie, affectionately known to family members as C.C., was born on May 19, 1988 in Kalamazoo to Redice Hudson and the late Richard L. Gill Jr. From the beginning of his life he was a survivor, having lived with an implanted liver and undergoing dozens of medical procedures at the University of Michigan Medical Center since the age of 17 months.

Richard was born with a rare condition and doctors were unsure whether an initial eight-hour procedure would allow him to live beyond childhood. He was called a miracle baby.

As a child, he sat through countless needle pokes and surgical procedures without crying or complaints. During that time he acquired several nicknames including Bubbie, Bubba and Pooter. As an adult, he smiled often and found humor wherever he was, undaunted by routine medical check-ups and a substantial daily regimen of medications.

At all times, he was a cheerful and caring person to everyone he knew.

A 2006 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, Richie attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College before working at Tali’s Market and at various times in production and research areas at MPI Research, Stryker Corp. and Pfizer Inc. He was proud of the work he did for those companies.

He was a lover of old-school comedy, good movies, video games and board games. He was always the banker in Monopoly and the encyclopedia on rules for whatever family game you were playing. Boxes of board games were a regular feature in the back seat of his car. 

A longtime fan of Marvel Comics, he was also a walking authority on Marvel movies and a fixture at the grand opening of any of them. He loved the heroism and humor he found in them and enjoyed the idea of people doing fantastic things.

Richie enjoyed spending time with his daughter Kiana, as well as his girlfriend Brandi Foster, her son Malek and family members. He recently enjoyed a gathering with extended family members in Maryland. That trip was added to the past gatherings he had with friends at Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant in Kalamazoo and birthday celebrations at Dave & Busters in Grand Rapids.

Always interested in new technology, Richie was usually the first to have the latest phone, wristwatch or game system. He took pride in building his own personal computer system a few years ago, and was always able to help others with their computer problems.

Richie was preceded in death by his father Richard L. Gill Jr., his grandfather, Richard L. Gill Sr., and his beloved grandmother Sylvia Gill. He is survived by his daughter Kiana Gill; his parents Carmina and Al Jones, and Redice and Anthony Bradley; his brothers Braylon Gill, A.J. Jones, Kenneth Jones, Keith Jones, Amaree Bradley, and Antonio Denham; his sisters Samantha Logan and Maria Crane; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and a dedicated tribe of friends including Marcus Patterson, Andre Smith, De’Ontre Watson, Romeo Ramirez, Zach Schafer, Javier Vargas and Anandshankar Pillai.

A celebration of life for Richard is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Langeland Family Funeral Home Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S. Burdick St. in Kalamazoo.

Cremation arrangements are being handled by the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan 1540 E Hospital Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Please visit Richie's memorial webpage to share memories and condolences with his family at https://www.Langelands.com