Richard J. Razvoza

Marine Korean War POW Richard J. Razvoza, 71, of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Washington, died at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2002, in his home. He was born April 8, 1931, in Washington, a son of John and Antoinette Pauline Razvoza. Mr. Razvoza was a retired loan officer. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War. On Nov. 30, 1950, he was captured in Chosin Reservoir. He was released October 5, 1953, next to the last day of Operation Big Switch, becoming the last enlisted Marine to be freed. In 1986, Mr. Razvoza moved to Port Charlotte, where he was a member of American Legion Post 110. He was co-founder and past president of the American Legion golf league, past state commander of American Ex-prisoners of War, past chapter commander of Peace River Chapter of AX-POW and a member of Elks Lodge 2763 of Deep Creek, Md. He enjoyed his family, friends, golf, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers play football and the POW organization. Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Nancy Arena Razvoza; a son, Patrick J. of Sarasota, Fla.; two sisters, Betty Duvall of Forest Hill, Md., and Joann Brown of Washington; and four nephews and 14 nieces. RAZVOZA - Friends of Richard J. Razvoza of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Washington, who died Wednesday, November 27, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington, where services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 5, with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth N. Schott officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery, with military honors conducted at graveside by Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AX-POW Department of Florida, 346 Rosario Street, Punta Gorda, FL; or Hospice of Southwest Florida, Sarasota, FL 33952. A memorial service at American Legion Post 110 in Port Charlotte will be held at a later date.