Richard Rash

A dear and faithful servant has been called home. Richard Joe Rash was called to his Heavenly Home, after a very brief illness, at the age of 86, on Monday, July 25, 2022, in Tyler, Texas. He was born on October 5, 1936, in Eureka, Texas, to Emmett E. Rash and Georgia Belle Land Rash. Richard was one of eight siblings raised on the family farm in Eureka. He attended Mildred schools. Richard grew up in and accepted the Lord as his Savior at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Mildred. In 1952 Richard met his soul mate Joyce Walker in Corsicana. After his father's passing in 1953, Richard, his mom, younger brother, and grandmother moved from the farm into Corsicana. At midnight on January 1, 1956, Richard and Joyce were married by Bro. Bob Cheek in the parsonage of Northside Baptist Church, with friends Bill and Peggy Chandler in attendance. This past January they celebrated 66 years of marriage. During their marriage they have never had a fight or disagreement. They have let the Lord lead their life together. Richard and Joyce were Blessed with 2 sons, Ricky Dan and Mark Alan. Richard was raised with a strong work ethic. Growing up he worked on the family farm, picking cotton, tending to livestock, gardening, or working in the fields. After his father's passing Richard went to work at General Motors in Arlington and then Adams Hats to help support the family. During this time Richard and Joyce were living in Wilmer, Texas. After learning that Joyce was expecting their first child they moved back to Corsicana. After Rick was born, Richard, with the help of Joyce's grandfather, Ed Swink and father-in-law, Russell Walker, built their first home in Corsicana. Shortly after Chattanooga Glass opened in Corsicana Richard went to work there. He worked at Chattanooga for many years. During that time, he served in several positions in the Union to help make the Glass Plant a great place to work. In 1971, Richard built a new home for his family in Mildred. Richard retired form Chattanooga Glass in 1979 and started Richard Rash Sand and Gravel. He and Joyce owned and operated the business until 2002 when he retired for the second time, for about 3 months. While Richard owned the gravel business, he was instrumental in the foundation work for many homes, driveways, schools, athletic fields, and Churches throughout Navarro County and the surrounding counties. He continually took interest and pride to see how the fields and other places that he had worked on were holding up. After moving to Mildred, Richard, Joyce, and the boys moved their Church membership to Mildred Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon and continued to serve until after COVID hit in 2020. After selling the business in 2002, Richard started doing contracting for the construction of homes for people. He helped do this for many families in Navarro County. During this time, he built another home for him and Joyce, overlooking the pond he had built on his land. In 2018, he built his grandson, Jon and his family a home on the place and then in 2019 he built his son Rick and daughter-in-law Rose their home on the land. He was getting ready to build Mark and Homer a home when COVID hit. For most of his life Richard worked the family farm and then his own land raising cattle, crops, and bountiful gardens. Richard was always sharing the produce from his gardens with friends and family. Mom said she thought he raised the garden just so he could give things to others. For most of the last 15 years the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd. grade students from Mildred Elem. would come to the farm in the Spring and Dad would show them all the garden and tell them how to plant the seeds or plants. He would pull one of the potato plants and show them how and where the potatoes grew. Then he would show them his fish and let them see the fish come get the food. He was always trying to teach the younger ones. Education and life skills were very important to Richard. For many years Richard has supported the students and athletes of Mildred ISD. In the fall of 2020 Richard and Joyce began attending First Baptist Church Kerens. Here too, Richard served as he could. Throughout his life, his friendships were very important to Richard. He and Joyce have a had a great many fun adventures with friends. For years there was a group of them that went to calf roping events and rodeos. Another group made trips to New Braunfels where Richard loved to float the river. Then later, there was a special group that became the "Bus Gang." This group of friends became family and consisted of Cliff and Leona Tew, Buddy and Kay Smith, Jerry and Kristi Nelson, and Willie and Alibeth Hodge. This group took many trips together and would gather in one another's homes every weekend to eat, play games, and share good times. Even though they were unable to meet as much after COVID hit, they have remained very close. Richard was a very special man. He served the Lord his entire life. He graciously gave to others. Many people have enjoyed his hospitality in their home or at their place. For more than 40 years Richard and Joyce have been hosted fish fries, Sunrise breakfasts, ice cream suppers, and other events for Church groups, family gatherings and friends. Richard was a mentor to many young men. Richard was a Master Mason and over a 55-year member of the Eureka Masonic Lodge where he held many offices. He followed in the footsteps of his great grandfather, grandfather, and father. His grandsons are now serving in the Masons. Richard is preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Georgia. His in-laws, Russell and Lorene Walker, his step mother-in-law Charlotte Walker, His brothers; B.B. (Buddy) Rash and wife Marybelle, C.G. (Charlie) Rash, and Curtis Rash. His brother-in-law Gene Walker and wife Joy, his brother-in-law Eddie Walker, and step brother-in-law Wimp Childress. His sisters, Vermell, Marie Daniels and husband Dwayne, Christine Miller and husband Cecil, Volu Slate and husband Charles. Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife Joyce, his son Rick and wife Rose, His son Mark and partner Homer. His grandsons Jon Rash (Trina), Jacob Rash (Emily) and Joe Rash (Jessica). His great-grandsons Jackson, Stone, Noah, Hudson Williams, and Eli. His great-granddaughter Wrenley. Richard is also survived by his special granddaughter Roseanna Williams. Richard is survived by many nieces and nephews and very special friends. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 30th in the evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. A going home celebration will be held Sunday, July 31st at 2:00 PM at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Biddy, Rev. Tony Neal, and Rev. Danny Sanderford. Burial will be at Hamilton Beamon Cemetery in Retreat. Pallbearers are Kim Miller, Gary Miller, Jimmy Rash, Billy Neal Rash, Scott Walker, Keith Walker, Greg Fisher, Cody Williams, and Gene Rash. Honorary Pallbearers: Van Bottoms, Jarod Bottoms, Jason Bottoms, Mack Hill, Donald Montgomery, Gary Roper, Rafford Stewart, Randal Arnett, Buddy Smith, Cliff Tew, and Jerry Nelson. SERVICES CAN BE VIEWED AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/76744

Richard Rash

October 5, 1936 - July 25, 2022