Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
George Rich Obituary
Eddie was a long-time educator and coach in Cocke County and McMinn Central. He was a well-known principal at Mountain View Elementary School. In his free time, he loved to take care of his yard and do any type of landscaping. He was an outstanding athlete at Carson Newman University, playing football and baseball. While at Carson-Newman, he was on the National Championship Baseball Team. Eddie was an avid U.T. fan and loved to cheer on all sports. He was a great role-model and mentor to several people.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Elsie Rich; sisters, Louise Wild, Shirley Bryan, Kate Harvel.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Linda Rich; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Amy Rich; grandson and spouse, Cameron and Madi Rich; two beloved great-grandchildren, Julius and Jesse Rich; sisters, Irene Gray and Vicki White; brother, Bill Rich.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to North Etowah Baptist Church, 231 PA Ave., Etowah, TN 37331.
Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 23, 2023 at North Etowah Baptist Church with Dennis Bordwine and long-time best friend, Dale Chrisman, officiating.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, prior to the service at the church.
Family and friends will assemble at Green Hill Cemetery, Tuesday, January 24th for the 11:00 a.m. committal service.
Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements. If you were unable to attend, you may sign the guest registry at www.bordwinefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Manda
January 31, 2023
Truly be missed. He was the best principal I ever had, he really did care for his students.
HERB HOFFMAN
January 30, 2023
I WANT TO WISH THE FAMILY CONDOLENCES ON HIS DEATH. THE MAN WAS A GREAT FRIEND AND TERRIFIC COACH LOVED BY EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM.
Irene Huff
January 26, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Irene Huff
Justin Hysell
January 25, 2023
Hey was indeed a wonderful role model he was definitely mine I just saw him a few months ago I'm sorry to hear this prayers for his family I went to mountain view and he was my principal I admired him
Justin Hysell
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Glenn McCulley
January 23, 2023
My prayers for the family. I always thought Coach Rich was a great man and a good example for us boys. I was in the class of 1979.
Joyce Chapman
January 23, 2023
Coach Rich was one of the best! So many fond memories of days gone by. Prayers for Linda, Todd and all the family during this difficult time. RIP Coach.
Joyce Ferguson Chapman
Doyle and Stacey Taylor
January 23, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ken Taylor
January 23, 2023
Our prayers and condolences to the family of Coach Eddie Rich.
Darryl Eaton
January 23, 2023
Rip coach..condolences family..class of 80 ..#74
Colleen Eaton
January 23, 2023
Worked for Mr. Rich in Mt.View's cafeteria.
David McDonald
January 23, 2023
I knew Mr. Rich as a man that loved his students and teachers. He was a great leader, role model for many, and will be dearly missed by many people in this community.
Terry Lillard
January 23, 2023
I am so sorry about Eddie. I really liked him and enjoyed his friendship. He was a great man and He will really be missed by lots of people. Linda and Todd, I love you both and your family.
Marion Lowe
January 22, 2023
Good teammate C-N baseball
Richard HIxson
January 22, 2023
So sorry for your loss. I played baseball for Coach Rich at Cocke County High School in 67/68 and 68/69. Coach Rich was a great man, teacher and coach. He will be greatly missed by all.
Jeff McDaniel
January 21, 2023
Coach Rich was a man that I admired very much! He was my football coach in high school for four years where I learned so much from his leadership. I always appreciated how much he cared for his players. He made playing at McMinn Central special!! I lived in Madisonville, but commuted to Englewood so I could be a Central Charger. Coach Rich always took us to football camp for a week to prepare for the season every year. Camp would be at a small college campus where we would stay in dorm rooms and practice and condition four times a day. It was hard and challenging but we came back strong and ready for the season. I also remember riding on a chartered bus to our fartherest away games. Made all of us players feel special and gave us confidence. We wanted to perform well for him. Coach Rich was excellent at motivating his team. He played a big role teaching his players how to live life as they should!!
John Tallent
January 21, 2023
For me he wasn’t just my principal he was my role model.
When I was young I lost both my parents, my uncle, my brother and my grandad.
He showed up at every funeral, and was always there at school when I needed someone to talk to. If it wasn’t for him helping me along the way, who knows where I would’ve ended up. I talked to him and his wife a couple months ago and he was so proud of how long I’ve worked at the hospital.
We lost a friend, role model, teacher and principal, but heaven gained a angel.
John Tallent & Christine Jamerson
Dan Wade
January 21, 2023
Eddie and I painted the hallways green many years ago, he is a good person and was worked just as hard as me, if mot harder! #RipCoach
Linda Caldwell
January 21, 2023
Jim and I are saddened to learn about this. Teachers who worked Mountain View School when Eddie was principal often talked about how supportive he was of teachers and children.
Charity King
January 21, 2023
So sorry to hear of Mr Rich's passing. He was a truly wonderful man. We will be praying for the family during this time.
Stanley Duncan, and James & Charity King
April Eaton
January 21, 2023
Forever in many’s memories! RIP
Chris & Regenia Richeson
January 21, 2023
So sorry to hear about Coach Rich. Coach Rich was a great teacher and coach. Prayers are with the family.
Jonathan Pierce
January 20, 2023
I have enjoyed a great friendship and Co-worker.
Eddie was a leader of his school. What ever the focus he was on it. Yes I have fond Eddie Stories. That I will enjoy for the rest of my life. Eddie was a great one! Miss you my friend!!!
Larry Davis
January 20, 2023
So sorry to learn of eddies passing. A very good person.
Penny Perian
January 20, 2023
So sorry for this family's lost. He was a good man.
Rhonda Whaley
January 20, 2023
I knew Coach Rich from my days at McMinn Central High School (‘79-‘83) but I got reacquainted with him at the dialysis clinic. When I would drop off my dad, we often had a wait and Coach Rich would usually arrive for his appointment before dad would get called back. I always enjoyed talking with Coach Rich. He had a positive influence on many from this community. He will be missed
Victor Amos
January 20, 2023
So much respect for Mr Rich. He had such a positive impact on so many. Prayers for the family
Melva Dolan
January 20, 2023
Coach
Rich was my teacher at McMinn central....everyone loved him...fly high coach
Tammy Kerley
January 20, 2023
I’m sorry for the pain you all are feeling. He gave me my first teaching job. He was a great mentor and good person. Rest in peace Coach, your work here is done.
Rhonda Black
January 20, 2023
My heart is broken ,what a wonderful ,outstanding, one of a kind loving person with a heart of gold ,they don’t make them like you anymore Mr Rich ,Rest In Paradise !!
Hoyle Cecil
January 20, 2023
My deepest sympathy on your loss.
I remember Eddie fondly as a football team mate and friend at Morristown High School.
Beth and Jerry Smith
January 20, 2023
What an amazing man! I worked with him for many years at Mt View. Everyone I knew who knew him had the utmost respect for him. He took care of the kids in school. He knew their names, parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins. He paid electric bills, bought appliances, clothes, shoes, food with his own money- and didn’t want anyone to know.
Such a great role model. He will be missed.
Susan Thomas
January 20, 2023
Was always a great Principal at Mt View when I was a student
Mary Turner Long
January 20, 2023
To your family, so sorry for your loss.
Allan Williams
January 20, 2023
What a awesome man and coach he was my Head Coach at Central while I was there he taught us hard work ethic and compassion for others , you will be missed Coach rest easy
Helen Lawrence
January 20, 2023
New him from moutin view I always thought he was a wonderful pe teacher.Helen Melissa Young-lawrence
Tammy Francis
January 20, 2023
May God hold you, help you, and see you through this difficult time. Mr. Rich has been a Blessing to our daughter Madison & her boys, Julius & Jesse. For this we will be forever grateful. I know he will truly be missed.
With Heartfelt Deepest Sympathy,
Jabo & Tammy Francis
Larry Davis
January 20, 2023
so sorry for the passing of Eddie. He was one of the good guys.
Scarlett Dender
January 20, 2023
Linda, so sorry to hear about Eddie. Prayers for you and all of your family.
Karen Frost
January 20, 2023
Prayers for comfort and understanding to all of you
Jimmy Youell
January 20, 2023
Coach Rich was my high school coach at Cocke County High School in Newport during the 67/68 and 68/69 years. I'm not sure, but it might have been his first coaching job after playing at Carson Newman. A funny story: during Christmas break I was at the high school gym playing a get-up game of basketball. Coach Rich was also there. I was parked in front of the gym and Coach was parked behind me. I happened to back into his new Corvette Stingray. I felt a little bump and pulled forward pulling a "big" chunk out of his fiber glass wheel finder. I went inside and told Coach what happened and he went out to look. I looked, then turned to me and smiled. Then he said "that's what insurance is for". Me and Coach got along well.
Austin Williams
January 20, 2023
In my prayers
BO MAXWELL
January 20, 2023
One of my best memories of Mr. Rich was him digging lead out of my forearm with his case knife when i was in the 3rd or 4th grade. Things like that would make the news now. Thank you Mr. Rich. Rest easy.
Sharon Morris
January 20, 2023
Eddie was a classmate of the '63 class at Morristown High School. Enjoyed visiting with him at our class reunions! My deepest sympathy and love to Linda and his family! Sincerely, Sharon Morris
Barry Derrick
January 20, 2023
Great man. Kept my boys straight at Mountain View
Debbie Haney
January 20, 2023
My thoughts are with you Linda. Eddie was a true gentleman.
Steve Blankenship
January 20, 2023
Dear family. So sorry to hear of your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely : Steve Blankenship.
Jimmy Youell
January 20, 2023
Coach Rich was one of my high school coaches at Cocke County High School in Newport during the 67/68 and 68/69 years. This might have been his first coaching job (not sure). He was a great coach and easy to get along with. A funny story: I was parked in front of the gym during Christmas break my senior year. We were playing a get-up game of basketball and Coach Rich was also there. Coach Rich's new Corvette Stingray (silver I think) was parked behind me. I got into my car and looked in the mirror to see how far I could back up. I backed up and my bumper hit the edge of his front wheel finder. I pulled forward and pulled a "big" chuck of fiber glass off his finder. I went in and told him what had happened (boy was I scared). He went out and looked at his finder. Then he looked at me and smiled. Then he said "that's what insurance is for". I really liked Coach Rich.
Gregg Martin
January 20, 2023
Great guy! Had him at Central when I was there in high school. Prayers for the family!
Kay Frank
January 20, 2023
So sorry to hear of Mr. Rich passing. He was always a true gentleman and treated me with respect during the years I was at Mt. View as a music instructor. He touched a lot of children and adults. Please know we are praying for the family.
Showing 1 - 49 of 49 results
203 Ohio Ave, Etowah, TN 37331
Make a Donation
in George Rich's name
How to support George's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor George Rich's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
