Richard M. Bassett

Richard M. Bassett January 29, 1928 - June 5, 2018 Richard M. Bassett, age 90, of St. Augustine, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 5, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. Richard was born to Amos and Mittie Bassett on January 29, 1928 in West Palm Beach, FL. He was a 1945 graduate of Jupiter High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves at the end of W.W.II. He was called to active duty in 1951 and went to Korea to serve with the 25th Infantry Division, 14 Regimen, 3rd Battalion. Richard was captured in an ambush by the Chinese in October of 1951 while out on patrol near Kumwha, North Korea. During his imprisonment he fought to keep his New Testament Bible, and was allowed to hold services for the prisoners. To this day that same bible is located in the Andersonville National Museum. He was finally released from captivity on August 12, 1953 during a cease fire and exchange of prisoners, after 22 months, 6 days as a POW in N. Korea. Richard returned to civilian life and went on to attend Florida State University where he received his Bachelor Degree in 1955 and Master of Education Degree in 1957. He began his career in education as a History teacher at Forest Hills High School in West Palm Beach, and continued as a Social Studies and Adult Education Teacher at St. Augustine High School from 1967 until his retirement in 1989. He retired after 31 years of teaching. Richard continued to teach in his retirement as volunteer. He served as a tutor in the Learn to Read, English as a Second Language and Take Stock in Children Programs. He also returned to China in 1992 and 1993 to teach Conversational English at Sichuan University in Chungdu, China. Richard was steadfast and unwavering in his faith in God. He was a founding member of Anastasia Baptist Church and had a heart for serving. He served as a Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Director, he loved singing in the choir and served on numerous committees. He led by serving. Despite his experience in the Korean War, Richard joyfully participated in a joint evangelistic campaign with Florida and South Korea Baptist churches in Seoul, Korea. Richard was also a member of many Educational and veteran’s organizations, and especially had a heart for organizations that supported ex POWs. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Valdeen. He is survived by his two sons, Mark Alan Bassett and wife Mary Jane, Jay Daniel Bassett; his granddaughters, Hannah, Alisa, Kara & Andrea; and grandsons, Caleb, Cody & Colton, and many great grandchildren. Services will be held at 5:00 pm on Monday, June 11, 2018 at Anastasia Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Moore officiating. A committal service with military honors will be held at 2 pm on Monday, June 18, 2018 at Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to: Community Hospice of Northeast FL., 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257 St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.