Richard James Fallis, III

Richard James Fallis III, 85, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024, at Watauga Medical Center in the company of his son, Richard James Fallis IV. He was a resident of Watauga County for over 30 years. 

Richard was born on May 28, 1938 in Detroit, MI and was raised there, but he spent many summers in Quebec, Canada. He served in the US Air Force as an intelligence officer for six years and was posted to Eastern Europe during the Cold War. He was a talented linguist who spoke German, French, Spanish, Russian, Czech, Polish, and a smattering of other languages. He was an English teacher at St. Edward’s High in Austin, Texas, and a teacher at Miami-Pace High School in Florida. He also coached many sports and was deeply involved in scouting programs for young teens. 

Richard worked for the town of Boone for several years in affordable housing department. Richard was a man of God and active in his local parish of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also very involved with the Cursillo movement in his local Catholic men’s community, having made his Cursillo weekend as part of the second English retreat in the United States in Texas in 1963.

He was a mentor to those going through difficult times and often provided lodging in his home for those in need. For years Richard worked with those who had problems with addiction. He sponsored many people for the last forty years. He continued that ministry up until his death. He was also very involved in prison ministry. 

He was loved by countless people and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. 

He is survived by his son, Richard James Fallis IV of Greensboro, NC, his grandson, Ethan Fallis of Ohio, and his great granddaughter, Teagan Fallis of Maryland. 

He was predeceased by his former wife Gaye Asbill Fallis and a great granddaughter, Holly Fallis, age 6.   

Richard always answered the phone by asking "How can I help you?” which is a fitting summary of how he lived his life in helping others. 

 A memorial mass will be conducted Friday, June 7, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Boone.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Fallis family.

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