Richard Carnes Pait Jr., 81, of Hamlet, passed away Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Jan. 6, 1944 in Hamlet, son of the late Richard Carnes Pait Sr. and Nancy Page Pait.
Richard graduated from Hamlet High School, class of 1962. He started working with Seaboard Airline Railroad in October 1962. He was then drafted into the United States Army in 1964. While stationed in Germany, Richard met his future wife, Gerda, in January 1966, and they soon married. Richard and Gerda moved back to Hamlet in June 1967. After an honorable discharge from the Army, Richard continued to work for the railroad, which became Seaboard Coastline Railroad, now CSX.
Richard was active in the Masonic Lodge No. 532 in Hamlet and also the Sandhills Shrine Club. He was a past Master of the Lodge and held many offices. Richard was also active in his church, First United Methodist Church in Hamlet, of which he was a member since birth. He served on many committees and was an usher until two months ago when his health began to fail.
Richard’s greatest love was his family, including his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of which he was extremely proud.
Along with his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brothers, Russell Darden Pait and Robert Hix Pait.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 59 years, Gerda Siebert Pait of the home; his children, Scottie Pait (Jamie) and Allen Pait (Nicole), both of Hamlet; grandchildren, Kaitlynn Elvis (Dell), Scott Mohn, Nicholas Pait and Matthew Pait; great-grandchildren, Cannon, Liam, Cali, Penelope, Maverick and Remy; sister, Carol Christenbury (Max) of Apex; bonus daughters, Vanessa Rivetti of Brazil and Kira Renzcewitz and family, of Germany; special adopted grandchildren, Taylor Bantugan, Brittany Mahr, Carson Dixon, Darius Jenkins and Mila and Sylvia; and his four-legged companion, Chipper.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025 from 1-2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Hamlet.
The memorial service will follow visitation, beginning at 2 p.m., with Pastor Dan Blair officiating. Interment will proceed at Richmond County Memorial Park with full military honors.
At other times, the family will receive friends at the family home on James Avenue, Hamlet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Richard’s memory to: First United Methodist Church, 300 Charlotte St., Hamlet, NC 28345; Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565 or online, mfnc.org; or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Pait family.
Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
