Richard K. Karleskent Obituary (1945 - 2026)

Devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Richard K. Karleskent, 80, of Malone passed suddenly on January 27, 2026 at Alice Hyde Medical Center with his family by his side. Services will be held Saturday, February 14 at 2pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, Malone with Elder Jonathan Mc Andrews Officiating. . Burial will take place at the family mausoleum in Owls Head. Arrangements are under the care of the Frary Funeral Home in Malone. Richard was born on February 26, 1945 in Malone to the late Kenneth J. and Jean E. (Reynolds) Karleskent. He attended Malone Central School and graduated from Franklin Academy. He went on to further his education at the Meat Cutter Institution. From there he went an became a meat cutter for Chicago Markets until he moved back to Malone and went to work for Yando's IGA. Dick then became an insurance agent following in his father's footsteps. Richard took over the family business, which was started in 1947 from his father until his retirement. On November 2, 1965 Richard married the love of his life, Judith A, Boyer in Malone. Richard and Judith welcomed five children; James, Ellen, Jennifer, Aaron, and Joel. Richard served as an elder in the congregation of Jehovah Witnesses in Utica and Malone. He was a member of the Malone Auto Club. Richard was an automotive enthusiast. He loved to spend time at the family camp, making fishing lures and teaching his sons how to fly fish. He also was known to pull an old prank on someone, and to tell a joke or two. If there was a dance floor, that is where Richard and Judith could be found. His main focus in life was taking care of his wife and family. Richard is survived by his wife Judith, their four children; James (Erica) of Hampton Tennessee, Ellen (Edward) Cyr of Malone, Jennifer (James) Cooley of Malone, and Aaron (Tammie) of Malone, his sister Carolyn (Kerry) Lavendoski of South Carolina, eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, a son Joel, his brother Robert, and a sister Laurel Cook. Memorial contributions in Richard's name can be made to Mountain View Lake Association P.O. Box 235 Owls Head, NY 12969 or to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness 18 Donohue Road Malone, NY 12953. Online condolences to the Karleskent family can be made at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.