Oree "Blackie" Rich

Oree Rich September 19, 1924- October 25, 2008 COLUMBUS, GA— Oree "Blackie" Rich, 84, of Columbus, GA died Saturday at the Columbus Hospice House. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 3:00 PM in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Billy Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens with full military honors. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Serving as pall bearers will be his great grandsons, Jacob and Jeffery Blackmon, Daniel and Bradley Leatherwood, Allen Berry and Dakota Aughtman. Honorary pall bearers are Gus Berry, Shonn and Greg Lawrence, Randy Gulledge, Chuck DuBose, Troy Enzor, Kerry Mazingo and Bubba Stephens. Mr. Rich was born September 19, 1924 in Barbour County, AL to the late Henry and Nancy Fralish Rich. He served in the US Navy during WW11 on the USS Murphy, USS Neilds, USS Florence Nightingale and USS Lycoming, then served in the Air Force stationed at Kisser Field, MS, Carswell Field, Ft. Worth, TX and Biggs Field, El Paso, TX. Mr. Rich was awarded the American Area Camp Medal, EUR-African Mid East Medal (three stars), Asiatic Pacific Camp Medal (one star), Point System, Victory Medal and a Purple Heart Recipient. Other involvement was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion Post 35 and the Blind Veterans Association. Mr. Rich retired from TXI in Midelophian, TX with 25 years of service as a truck driver. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, one sister and one grandson. Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Ann DuBose Rich; a son, John Rich (Joann) of Venus, TX and three grandchildren, Jackie, Jennifer and Brandi; step-daughter, Senoi Godfrey with three granddaughters; six great grandsons and four great granddaughters, three great grandsons and one great great granddaughter; extended family are Richard and Ann Myers. Flowers are accepted, or contributions may made to the Columbus Hospice, Moon Rd., Columbus, GA 31909 in memory of Oree Rich.