Richard Towle Ohno

Richard Towle Ohno, 64, died suddenly Friday, March 11, 2022 at home.

Born in Saugerties, NY, the son of the late Roy and Betty (Towle) Ohno, Rich grew up with his brother, Bill, sisters Sally and Meg, and life-long friends near the Catskill Mountains in NY. Rich's natural athletic talent was evident at a very young age. Although he participated in basketball, football, and cross country; baseball was his sport. Achieving recognition in Little League and Babe Ruth Leagues, he became a pitcher and valuable asset to the Saugerties Varsity Baseball team.

Rich graduated from SUNY College of Technology, Utica, NY in 1980 majoring in Criminal Justice. At first applying for law enforcement, then dabbling in selling home security systems, Rich found his passion in the fast-paced, ever-changing, challenging and "filled with all kinds of people" environment of retail and customer service. His 40+ years as a retail Store Manager in TN and VA included Hill's Department Stores, Target, TJ Maxx, and Office Depot.

Rich knew early in life what was important in this world – "people… and how you treat each person." He was a confident, quietly competitive man and the type of leader that people wanted to follow because he let you know you were appreciated, needed, and a valuable part of his team. He was right there, in it with you and he tried to make work and life fun.

Rich was devoted to our Lord, Jesus Christ. He was proud of his wife, his children and their accomplishments and his granddaughters (How he loved to play with them!) Rich liked running and often pushed himself to add… one more mile. He enjoyed being in the beauty and peacefulness of nature. Fishing in trout streams or in salt water, it was the "battle of getting that fish out of the water" that he relished. He was always watching sports… especially baseball… and enjoyed watching the Memphis Tigers & Grizzlies basketball teams. Woodworking was a passion of his as was cooking, grocery shopping, and reading. Employment at Better Than Retail, Kroger, and The Fresh Market filled the last years of his life.

Rich is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cheryl "Cheree" (Fogarty), his children Thomas, Michael (Katie), Caralyn, two granddaughters, Audrey, Evelyn, and a third grandchild due in September, brother William (Maria), sisters Sara (James) Scannell and Margaret (Robert) Lachmann, his mother-in-law, Wilma Fogarty, brother-in-law Bill (Nancy) Fogarty, sisters-in-law, Gail (Geoff) Gillett and Teresa Fogarty, his mother's sister, Susan Towle Duncan, cousins Bill Duncan, Suzanne Duncan, Kathy Towle, Michael Towle, Betsy (Jay) Brightman, Mark (Kate) Ohno, twelve nieces and nephews and nine great nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the
Catholic Church of the Incarnation, 360 Bray Station Rd, Collierville, TN 38017
His interment will immediately follow at the columbarium on the church grounds.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, May 20, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Church Fellowship Hall.

Rich was passionate about Project Outreach of Fayette County, TN ( http://projectoutreachfayette.org/ ). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to this cause in memory of Richard Ohno.

He touched many people and he lives forever in our hearts and in the words we share with one another about him.

Share condolences at: richohnomemories@outlook.com or leave a voice message at 901-206-3925.