Cecil LaDell Richards, 92, of La Grande and Gautier, Miss., died June 27 at Ocean Springs Hospital in Mississippi. Burial was in the Cove Cemetery.

Mr. Richards was born Aug. 27, 1912, to Clarence D. and Blanche C. Houx Richards in Cove. He graduated from Eastern Oregon Normal School, and earned a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He served in the Navy during World War II and married Lina Margueriette Hesse. He was a coach, teacher and principal in Oregon public schools for more than 40 years at Ione, Milton-Freewater and Sweet Home. His first assignment was at Dry Forks School, and he retired from Sweet Home Junior High. In recent years he lived with his son in Gautier and returned to his home in La Grande in the summer. Many of his happiest memories were of the Minam and Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas Richards and Christy Wheeler of Gautier; three grandchildren; a sister, Deleva Richards of Cove; and other relatives. His wife, a brother, James C. Richards, and two sisters, Gladys Puckett, and Geraldine Warnstaff, all died earlier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cove Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1, Cove 97824.