Richard E. McLendon, 80, of Rockingham, passed away Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.
Richard was the son of Ed McLendon and Edna Leviner Caulk, born Nov. 18, 1944, in Wallace, South Carolina.
Along with his parents, Richard is preceded in death by his siblings, Kathy Caulk Norton and Roger Kevin “Dooster” Caulk.
Richard grew up in Wallace, South Carolina, and was drafted into the Army on Sept. 2, 1965. After his military career, Richard worked several auto mechanic positions and was a truck driver for a brief time.
In his spare time, he loved to tend to his garden, and he dabbled in various mediums of woodworking. He enjoyed playing cards and shooting pool. He was a loving husband and could be described as rough as a bear on the outside, but on the inside, he was as gentle as a lamb.
Surviving Richard is his wife of 57 years, Lejunia Chavis McLendon; niece, Ryan Norton-Smith (Eric); nephew,s Roger Aaron Caulk, Tommy Weatherford (Karen) and Levi Chavis (Judy); great nieces, Erial Norton, Eris Smith and Ciara Hitchcock (Robert); great-nephews, Ericson Smith, E.J. Smith and Ryan Chavis (Carly); brothers-in-law, Ronnie Chavis (Rhonda) and Don Norton; two beloved cats, Pumpkin and Rudie; and many friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 3-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at Mount Olive Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. with the Rev. DW Feaster officiating. Military honors will be conducted at Richmond Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorial donations to Mount Olive Baptist Church at 596 E. Washington St. Ext., Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences can be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is assisting the McLendon family.
