Bobby Ray Richesin

Bobby Ray Richesin, age 86, of Sweetwater, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Nov. 19, 2024, at Morning Pointe of Lenoir City where he had resided for the past year and a half.

Bobby was born on July 20, 1938, to Annie Mae and William Thomas Richesin, of Sweetwater. He was their third child.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; and brothers, Jimmy Richesin and Daris Richesin.

Bobby is survived by: his wife of 62 years, Patricia Long Richesin;

His children, Michael Richesin, of Sweetwater, and Todd Richesin, of Knoxville;

Daughter-in-law, Stacey Richesin;

Son-in-law, Bobby Brown;

Grandchildren, Josh and Courtney Strong, and Jayden Richesin;

Great-granddaughter, Madelyn Strong;

Brother, Billy Richesin;

Sisters-in-law, Mary Ruth Richesin, and Pat Richesin, also of Sweetwater.

Community service is something that Bobby truly believed in. He was a member of the National Guard for five years. He was a Lions Club member and multi-year president of the local Sweetwater chapter, and was awarded "Lion of the Decade" for the years 1978 to 1988. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellow award for a lifetime of service to the Lions Club.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sweetwater for 62 years, where he sang in the choir.

He had a true entrepreneurial spirit which is shown by his being a founding director and board member of Volunteer Federal Savings Bank, where he served as a director for 50 years.

He worked for his father-in-law for many years as the manager of Service Lumber Company. He owned the Splish Splash Car Wash and the M & T Service Station during those years as well. He was a salesman for his dear friend Dan Harvey at H & V Motors for many years.

The last chapter of his career is where he shined brightest doing what he loved most as a general contractor. His signature details and quality are part of many homes and businesses in the Sweetwater Valley.

A true servant spirit, he provided not only for his family, but for others in the community.

His wit and humor lightened many loads for those he spoke to. He gave people good advice when buying a vehicle. He worked with people through difficult construction and building projects. He helped people with financial decisions through his work as a director with Volunteer Federal Savings Bank.

The work for which he was most proud would have to be the restoration of his home church, First United Methodist, where he led the charge to restore the sanctuary and original parts of the building.

He was a huge fan of all sports. He loved the Vols, and probably never missed a baseball game where his grandsons, Josh and Jayden, were playing.

The family would like to thank the staff at Morning Pointe for his excellent care. They would also like to thank Caris Hospice for their support, attention, and care during the final months of his life.

The family received friends on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the Sweetwater First Methodist Church from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The funeral service followed at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Riley Huffstetler and Rev. Gene Bragg officiating. Interment was in the Sweetwater Memorial Park with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to First Methodist Church in Sweetwater, Tennessee or to Sweetwater High School Baseball.

Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com