Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 23, 2023

CHARLOTTE – God and family, health and education all under the umbrella of love, generosity, humor, and gratitude.  This was how our dad lived his life and inspired all he met to live theirs.

Richard Thomas Darragh was born April 30, 1931, to Gordon and Amelia Darragh in Montreal, Canada.  From a very young age, Richard was determined to make his mark on the world.  He worked his way through college at a Catholic Monastery D’Oka.  He continued his education earning a Master’s degree and a PhD in Biochemistry from Cornell University – all while learning English, no small feat for a French Canadian.  It was during this time that he met and married the only woman he ever dated and the love of his life – Mildred Emily Hill Darragh.   They celebrated 70 years of marriage, and they were an inspiration to so many with the simple value to give love without expectations.

Richard had a remarkable 30+ year career at the Proctor and Gamble Company, starting in Research & Development focused on creating new food products.  He led teams and projects resulting in the development of Pringles, Jiff Peanut Butter and varieties of Duncan Hines cake mixes.   From there, he was asked to move to Norwich, NY to help integrate the acquisition of the Norwich Eaton Pharmaceutical Company and lead the new P&G Pharmaceutical Division, resulting in the development of the osteoporosis drugs Didrone and Actonel.  His final role at P&G was leading Quality Assurance & Quality Control worldwide for the organization.  Richard’s creativity and love of invention was at the root of all of these and many more developments.

While working at Proctor and Gamble, Richard also had an unwavering commitment to his Faith and his church.   He worked tirelessly and gave generously of both time and money not only to the church but to others in need.  He was an incredible mentor using his visionary gifts, insatiable curiosity, and deep wisdom to counsel anyone who asked.  Richard and Mildred started the Darragh Family Foundation whose mission is to give others the opportunity to fulfill their greatest potential who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to do so. 

While Richard was proud of his professional accomplishments, he was most proud of his family.  His five children, Debbie Darragh Birck (Ed), Gail Darragh Angelo (Russ), Gordon Darragh (Kim), Terri Darragh Haas, David Darragh (Edie), ten grandchildren, two step grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren along with his love Mildred, were his pride and joy and the reason for all that he did.

Richard Thomas Darragh, you will be greeted with trumpets and will be rewarded for having run the long race and fought the good fight.  We can hear God saying now….”Well done my good and faithful servant.”

A service to honor the life of Richard will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Southminster Retirement Community, 8919 Park Road in Charlotte, NC followed by an informal reception. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brentwood, TN at a later date.

Memorials in memory of Richard may be offered to Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Road, Brentwood, TN 37027 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.