John Lawrence Richard, age 69, passed away peacefully in his home March 8, 2023. He was born the son of the late Dudley and MaiDel English Richard of the Eastview community. In 2016, John was married to Diann Carlin, who passed away in 2022.
John was a master craftsman, having learned the carpentry trade from his father. He later worked with John Allen Construction Company in Jackson, TN for almost 29 years until his retirement in 2016.
He was creative, a perfectionist, a kind and gentle soul who loved his family, friends, and all animals, birds and flowers. John grew sunflowers that were fifteen feet tall and large vegetable gardens that he shared with family and others. After retirement John assumed responsibility for the family’s commercial blueberry orchard, which he continued until his death.
John was a careful observer of the natural world around him, an amateur historian, and one who enjoyed old western movies. He was one of John Wayne’s greatest fans.
One of John’s hobbies was creating whimsical bird houses from the gourds he grew in his garden. He was an expert cook who liked to experiment with new pie recipes. His chocolate chip cookies and Christmas fruit salad in five-gallon buckets were legendary among family and friends.
Surviving John are his daughter, Jennifer Walker of Philadelphia, PA; his sisters, Doris Sutton, Sandra Scott, Marbary Segars and Quinnie Bell (Ron); brothers, Don Rayburn (Marjorie), David (Kathy), and Steve (Sandi) and a host of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his fur baby, Duke.
In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by his sister, Gene Ingram and her husband Dan; brother, Mike Richard and wife Libby Jo; brothers-in-law, Burl Sutton, Ray Scott and Johnny Segars.
A celebration of John’s life will be held in the near future.
