Suddath, founder of Suddath Cos., dies

   Richard H. “Dick” Suddath, founder of the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Suddath Cos., died Saturday morning.
   He was 94.
   “Many of you knew him in his more vibrant years, yet even in his early nineties his personality was easily recognized. With his passing, we mourn the loss of a visionary, great friend, leader, mentor and community champion,” said Stephen M. Suddath, who became chairman of the company in 1989, in a statement.
   Suddath took over the family business from his father Carl after returning home from military service during World War II. Over the next 45 years, he grew the company from a small local moving and storage company into a relocation and warehousing organization with nine Southeast branch offices that provided nationwide and worldwide services
   The company is planning a memorial celebration of Suddath’s life on Sept. 6, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Crowne Plaza in Jacksonville. The family will hold a memorial service at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 7.
   In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Sulzbacher Center, 611 East Adams Street, Jacksonville, Fla. 32202 or to The Meninak Foundation, 5932 North Caribbean Court, Jacksonville, Fla. 32277.