Richard Robert Elias

1955 - 2019

BORN

1955

DIED

2019

Richard Elias Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Richard Robert Elias
Start: 2019-04-14T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Community Bible Church

Richard Robert Rick' Elias January 7, 1955 - April 2, 2019 Nashville Richard Robert "Rick" Elias, age 64, passed away peacefully in Nashville on April 2, 2019, after a brave battle with cancer. He was at St. Thomas hospital and surrounded by his immediate family. Rick was born in San Diego, CA, started playing music professionally at age 13, and attended Azusa Pacific University. He relocated his family to Brentwood, Tenn., in 1991, where he lived until his death. Rick gained widespread recognition for composing music for the 1996 Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do! and as a founding member of Rich Mullins' A Ragamuffin Band, while he also achieved success and critical acclaim as a Contemporary Christian Music producer, songwriter, and performer. Later in life he became a respected songwriting professor at the Contemporary Music Center in Brentwood. Beloved husband for thirty-two years to wife, Linda (nee Tollner); son of Maryann (nee Sutherland); brother to Cindy (nee Hilton) and Sheri (nee Sutherland); loving father of Graham Griffith (Abel), Amber Gould (Hamilton), Taylor, and Zachary; doting grandfather of two; undeniably cool uncle, cousin, and friend to many. A public memorial service will be held at 3pm on April 14, 2019, at Community Bible Church, 6005 Edmonson Pike, Brentwood. In lieu of flowers, Rick requested a donation to help cover his many medical expenses via his official GoFundMe.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr. 5, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Elias

11 Entries

Charlotte Lomeo

March 30, 2023

Dear cousin, it's so hard to believe you have been gone 4 years. I'm sure you are happy though, probably teaching music. I know we will all see each other again.
Love you
Cousin Charlotte

Franklin Rowland

June 3, 2021

Rick's first CD 1990 Confession of Love, touched my late wife Grace and my heart. Was looking up the lyrics for the song Stripped, and found that Rick had passed, after his brave battle with cancer. My heart is sadden for Rick's family. My wife Grace went home May 24th 2009 after her brave battle with leukemia 1959 2009. My deepest condolences and prayers.

Anne

February 26, 2020

Rick Elias, where have you been all my life?! I just discovered your amazing, beautiful, profound music and wish there would be more. I look forward to meeting you in Heaven, dear sir.

April 13, 2019

Walk in Light.
It was a pleasure listening to your former style of music back in the "San Diego Days".

Jeannie Goins

April 13, 2019

Rick's love for our Saviour was real, and raw, and unashamed. Well done, Good and Faithful Servant. You have entered into the Joy of your Lord. See you soon.

Dave Knobel

April 7, 2019

I recall your effortless kindness. Every time we interacted you didn't have much time, but you were always connected when you had it. A buddy Joel and I got lost trying to find your concert in the middle of "Nowhere Illinois - Salt Peter Cave". I'll never forget that I will never remember the concert - because we had just arrived as you and the band were packing up. You guys invited us to hang with you as you grabbed chow. But, that was you, as you said of Mark Heard "(you) were closer to (truth) than some". I really appreciate your imprint on my life, and am glad to carry it with me. - Dave Knobel, St. Louis MO

Charlotte Lomeo

April 6, 2019

To my dear cousin Rick, as I have always called when I spoke about you. We haven't seen each for awhile, but I have significant memories that won't go away like when you spent the summer with us. How you taught me how to play Chess, played Monopoly every night. Heard you playing the guitar when you were 12..you brought it with you to Phoenix. And back then the neighbors we had all around our age all had crushes on you. When you went back home it was boring. Later on during your teens you and cousin Mark came to visit us with your mom. You and Mark were so tall and teased me so much and the two of you picked me up and fully clothed threw me in the shower and turned it on. Everyone laughed so hard because my brothers teased me A lot like, playing jokes and all. Later on you came to Phoenix a couple of times and we all went to see you. You announced that we were there. My mom and dad your aunt and unclewere so proud of you. I will always remember these things. You are a remarkable talented person. You were called home because I believe that Our Heavenly Father has a plan for you, A very important one. We will all miss you. It's hard for the family and friends to not see you for awhile , but we all will see you again and it will seem like: "A BLINK OF AN EYE " that we hadn't seen you. So dear cousin until we meet each other again, I will still brag about you and share your songs..Love you.

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

a loved one

Sent Flowers

VINNY LOMEO

April 5, 2019

YOUR SINGING WITH THE ANGELS NOW COUSIN,NO MORE PAIN.REAST IN PEACE CUZ

April 5, 2019

I have been following Rick's Caring Bridge site and praying for him and his family and friends. My deepest sympathies. So many fun memories in Los Angeles with John Khula, Ress, and the Band in the 80's. So incredibly talented, everyone of them. Sending out love and prayers to Rick's wife and family from Mississippi now. Rick, the joy and excitement being with your savior you must be experiencing for all of eternity must be absolutely incredible!! See you one day my friend.

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