Richard Dale Best, Sr.

Mr. Richard Dale Best, Sr., 64, of 4645 Rainbow Drive, died Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 4:12 pm, at Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast in Concord. A memorial service is scheduled for 5:00 pm Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. Forbis Kivett will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 5:00 pm Wednesday at Lady's Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the residence. Mr. Best was born November 27, 1944 in Wilkinsburg, PA. He was a son of the late Albert William Best and Westanne Florence Merriman Best. He was a member of First Wesleyan Church in Kannapolis. He was also a member of the Friendship Masonic Lodge and the Oasis Shriners in Charlotte. He worked at IBM for 30 years as a computer engineer. His hobbies included fishing, skeet shooting, photography, computers and rebuilding car engines. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by daughter, Deborah Best-Friedman. Mr. Best is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbara Piper Best; three daughters, Wendy Habenicht and husband, Brad of China Grove, Melissa Lawter and husband, Jonathan of Kannapolis, Amy Best of Kannapolis; two sons, Richard D. Best, Jr. and wife, Sherry of Statesville and Edwin Best of Kannapolis; brother, John Best and wife, Sherri of Miami, FL; niece, Nicole Penny and husband, Sean of Florida; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Jammie, Hannah, Tyler, Brandon, Brittany, Jonathan, Jr., Joshua and Spencer. Memorials may be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607.