Richard Lawrence Golden

Richard Lawrence ("Rich") Golden of Cumming, Georgia, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025, surrounded by love.

To know Richard was to understand the four pillars of his life: his steadfast faith in God, his devotion to family, his lifelong passion for Michigan football, and the many affectionate—often humorous—nicknames that marked each chapter of his journey.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1961, Richard entered the world already destined to be a Wolverines fan. His father, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, proudly passed down the maize-and-blue tradition. In 1970, the family moved to Findlay, Ohio, where Richard attended Van Buren High School. They later relocated to Kettering, Ohio, and Richard graduated from Fairmont West High School in 1979.

Later that year, the family made a life-changing move to Gulf Breeze, Florida—close to his mother's hometown of Pensacola—and purchased Pier One Marina on Pensacola Bay at the foot of the Three-Mile Bridge. It was there that Richard's faith and purpose deepened. In the early 1980s, he became a born-again Christian and attended Cornerstone Church in Pensacola, where he joyfully played drums in the worship band. He "put on the whole armor of God" and stood boldly for Jesus, inspiring all who knew him. His faith remained the guiding force of his life, anchored by scriptures he cherished: John 3:16, Matthew 22:36-40, and Hebrews 11:1.

In 1981, the family expanded the marina to include Jolly Roger's Seafood Galleon restaurant, where Richard began his lifelong career in hospitality. He eventually became head chef, serving fresh Gulf Coast seafood against the backdrop of Pensacola's golden sunsets. He later rose through management positions in several restaurant chains, bringing warmth, humor, and excellence to each role.

In the early 2000s, Richard found a professional home at Mary Mac's Tea Room—one of the South's most beloved dining institutions—just off Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. Over a decade, he managed the dining room and catering operations, welcoming guests from around the world, including presidents, senators, celebrated athletes, and movie stars. No matter how demanding the schedule, he always made time for the people he loved.

Richard adored his family—especially his son Joshua, with whom he shared countless adventures. Their happiest moments were often spent along the beaches of Southwest Florida, searching for treasure in the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World."

In the early 2010s, he stepped away from restaurant life to pursue a creative dream: writing a novel inspired by his family and his father's legal notes. The result, Golden Jubilee, stands as a testament to his imagination, persistence, and storyteller's heart.

And then, of course, there were his Wolverines. A fan from birth, Richard attended many unforgettable games, including the 1998 Rose Bowl, where Michigan claimed the national championship. He shared that historic experience with his brother Greg and, overcome with joy at the victory, famously declared, "I can die now." His final visit to the Big House came in 2021, when he and his son Joshua stood together in Ann Arbor as Michigan defeated Ohio State beneath a sky of falling snow—a memory Josh will hold forever.

Richard was also a man of many nicknames, each one reflecting a story, a relationship, or a moment of life's joyful silliness. To his Australian "brother" Derek Bird, the exchange student who lived with the family during Richard's seventh-grade year, he was "Richie Rich." His close friend Coach EJ Frost affectionately called him "Larry," a playful nod to his middle name. After a vivid dream his brother Steve once had, Richard embraced the humorous moniker "Lincoln Dick," referencing their father's Lincoln Town Car. He played drums and wrote songs with Steve in their band Knights of Now. In his early twenties, he whimsically dubbed himself "Sir Drahcir of Nedlog"—his name spelled backward. He even developed a recurring radio persona, "The Sports Freak," joining Greg's broadcasts on TK-101 in Pensacola and later contributing to game coverage across Georgia. But the name he treasured above all was "Dad," spoken by his beloved Joshua.

Deeply committed to the Word of God, Richard earned a seminary degree from Cornerstone Institute. Though he never entered the pulpit in a traditional sense, he pastored hearts everywhere he went—encouraging, listening, guiding, and uplifting others through his faith and compassion.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Lorrie "Honey" Golden, and by his Australian brother, Derek Bird. He is survived by his former wife, Suzanne; his beloved son, Joshua; his brother Greg Golden and his wife, Carol; his brother Steve Golden and his wife, Terre; his nieces Kristen, Chryseis, Desirae, Erin, and Rebecca Golden, Christina Dull, and Emma and Parker Urquhart; and his nephew, Phillip Carver.

He leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, humor, warmth, and unwavering devotion to the people and passions that defined his life.

Richard will be laid to rest at Milton Fields in Milton, Georgia.