Richard Cleat Phares , age 91, of Onego, WV, died Thursday, February 13, 2020, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. Born May 16, 1928, at Circleville, WV, he was the son of Elmer Phares and Myrtle Sponaugle Phares. On November 10, 1952, he married Ruth M. Sites Phares, who passed away on January 4, 1998.

Richard was a Korean War Veteran of the US ARMY, having served as a tank commander. Richard and Ruth operated the store and post office in Onego starting in 1959. In addition to being the postmaster, Richard was a farmer, business owner, and served on the Board of Directors of the Pendleton Community Bank for 50 years. He participated in many community organizations.

Richard is survived by three daughters: Dr. Pamela K. Kulback and husband Steve of Birmingham, Alabama, Kimberely L. Godwin and husband John of Morgantown, WV, and Sonnee D. Shomo and husband Chad of Swoope, Virginia; two sons, Jerry R. Phares and wife Kitty of Petersburg, WV, Richard C. Phares, Jr. of Riverton, WV; five grandsons, Jerry Richard Phares, Jr. and wife Stacy of Pasadena, Maryland, Stephen J. Kulback and wife Mary Katherine of Wilmette, Illinois, Jon Richard Godwin and wife Amanda of Morgantown, WV, Richard C. Phares III of Riverton, WV, and Charles Wesley Godwin and wife Samantha of Athens, Ohio; one granddaughter, Kristina Phares and husband Stacy Vance of Berlin, Pennsylvania; two great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn Phares and Ashley Phares of Pasadena, Maryland; three great-grandsons Lincoln James Godwin, Thomas Brady Kulback, and Gabriel Wesley Godwin; two sisters, Mary June Bennett of Circleville, WV, Dottie Warner and husband Jerry of Franklin, WV; one brother, Raymond "Eddie" Phares and wife Rose of Circlevile, WV; and his long time companion Rheba Helmick.

In addition to his parents Elmer and Myrtle, Richard is proceeded in death by a sister, Ina Lee Hedrick, and one brother, James Phares.

Mr. Phares' family will receive friends from 1:30-3:30 PM and 5:00-7:00 PM on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin, WV. Funeral services will be on Monday, February 17, 2020 at 11:00 AM, in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Jim Phares and Rev. Daniel Ewald officiating. Burial will be in the North Fork Memorial Cemetery at Riverton, WV. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's name to the Pendleton Community Bank to the Richard and Ruth Phares Scholarship Fund for a scholarship to a deserving student from Pendleton County High School to further their education. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.