Richard T. Bayless

Richard Thomas Bayless, 67, of Damascus, MD, passed away on January 06, 2020, after a brief battle with cancer.

Richard was born on March 21, 1952, in Washington, DC. He graduated from George Mason University in 1974. He married Margaret Lee on November 12, 1983; they made their home and raised their family in Damascus, MD. He worked in IT for most of his career, contributing to a diverse array of projects including a clinical data mining startup, satellite phones, tollbooth cameras and networking megalithic data centers. His real passions, however, were his family, nature and history. Somehow never needing “me time”, he was happiest when he was with his family – whether that meant tinkering at his daughter and son-in-law’s home, hiking the C&O Canal with his son, helping his youngest daughter navigate adulthood or simply taking a leisurely Sunday drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway with his wife. In rare moments of downtime, he could reliably be found devouring the latest oversized tome detailing minutiae from an historic chapter in American history.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Bernice (Bogen) Bayless. He is survived by his wife Margaret; children Katherine (Eric) Matthews, Marine Corporal Thomas Bayless and Rebecca Bayless; siblings David Bayless and Susan (James) Reynolds; a large extended family; and many friends.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff of Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and Casey House for their attentive and compassionate care.

Friends and family are welcome to attend the viewing at St. Paul Catholic Church, 9250 Damascus Road, Damascus, MD 20872, from 10:00 AM on Monday, January 13, 2020, until a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated  at 11:00 AM. Interment at All Souls Cemetery. Following the interment, all are invited to gather at the parish hall at St. Paul Catholic Church.

Flowers may be sent in advance 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, January 11 to  Molesworth - Williams Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road in Damascus, MD 20872; or, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club in Richard’s memory.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.molesworthwilliams.com

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