Richard "Dick" Crandell Backus

Richard “Dick” Crandall Backus, Sr., 87 of Marietta passed away Aug. 18, 2015 at Brookdale of Marietta surrounded by his loving family.Dick was born February 19, 1928 in Parkersburg, son of the late Earl Richard and Alice Crandall Backus. He attended Wood County schools. He was with the 8th U.S. Army Group as a Corporal in the 3247 Signal Corp. In his early years, he enjoyed boxing, was a Boy Scout Troop Leader, a Little League Baseball coach and enjoyed playing slot machines and reading history books. He was retired after 47 years of service at the Parkersburg Sentinel, where he worked as a printer in the Composing Room.He is survived by his children, Brenda Tychan (Terry) of Port St. Lucie, FL, Richard Backus, Jr. (Linda) of Marietta and Theresa Dunn (Ian) of Doha, Qatar; two grandchildren, Mindy Olfert (Landon) of Lustre, Montana, and Barry Backus (Megan) of Little Hocking, OH; four great-grandchildren, Abigail, Tessa and Jamin Olfert, and Ellie Elizabeth Backus; brother and sister-law, Russ, Jr. and Susie Clem of Washington; and four nieces, Tish, Erin, Crystal and Tawnda.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean Backus; his former wife and mother of his children, Eloise Mae Stephens Backus; and three sisters, Joyce Riachi, Jean Hanus and Jane Malone.There will be no visitation and memorial services will be announced at a later date at the convenience of the family. The family is being assisted by Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 400 Green St. Parkersburg.The family requests that donations in memory of Dick be sent to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.