Richard Comer

Some people are born, hit the ground running and never look back. Ric Comer was one of them. He was born August 23, 1954, in Winston-Salem, NC; his run ended February 18, 2015, at Regional Hospice House in Spartanburg, SC. His parents, Edna and Willie Comer named him Richard Davis Comer, and for as long as they lived, they worked to keep up with their youngest son. Early family movies show a little boy, barely old enough to stand, running away from family poses, while older brothers, David and Gray, take turns catching and returning him to their parents. Growing up in Winston-Salem, Ric attended Speas Elementary; Mt Tabor: grades 7-11; and R.J. Reynolds High School: senior year and graduation. His college career "played out" at Appalachian State University, where he received a BS/BA Degree. Ric never met a stranger, he treated everyone as if he had known them all their lives and welcomed all with a warm embrace. Ric was "larger-than-life." As a result; many adjectives can be used; many stories told. Yet, those who knew him best will probably agree that four things were paramount in his life: his wife and family, his career, his love of sports, and his faith. It takes a special person to live with a Ricky Comer, but Ric found one in Sherry Nelson, whom he married in 1977. Together, they worked in the trucking industry, built homes, raised dogs, skied from the summit of Pike's Peak to its basin, and hiked from the top of Grand Canyon to camp in Phantom Ranch. During these last years, as Ric struggled with cancer, Sherry tenaciously fought to restore his health. He credited her with keeping him alive, far beyond medical predictions. Ric's professional career, spanning from 1977 until 2014, was in trucking. He worked as driver leaser for NC Allstate Services (Winston-Salem, '77-'80); Driver Manager for General Electric (Winston-Salem, '80-'83); Fleet Manager for General Electric (Portsmouth, VA, '83-87); Operations Manager for Montgomery Tank Lines (Chesapeake, VA,'87-'90); Sales Manager for Trucking for General Electric Motors (Charlotte, NC,'90-'95); Sales Manager for Trucking for Southwestern Truck Lines (Rutherfordton, NC, '96-2000); and Regional Operations Manager for Tidewater Transit Company, (Cowpens, SC, 2000-2014) Half of Ric's home basement is a "Man Cave," where the South Carolina Gamecocks, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and Carolina Panthers each have their own room, decorated in team regalia. Sports were more than a hobby; they gave him a way to use his boundless energy, so, from high school on, he was either playing or watching. Football, tennis and track defined him in high school; softball, rugby, and soccer—well into his 30's. In the years since, it has been deer hunting with bow and arrow, fishing at the beach, and golfing everywhere. His love of golf gave him the title, "Director of Golf Tournaments" for New Life Baptist Fellowship, his beloved church. Here, Ric gave expression to his faith, working on missions in Spartanburg, SC, Whitetop, VA, and Pass Christian, MS. Here, he taught Discipleship Development and made friendships that sustained him throughout his long illness. These fiends, added to the ones made since childhood, especially the "band of brothers" from college, create a multitude that stretches the continent. Ric's surviving family includes wife Sherry, brothers David (Janice ["Sis"]), Gray (Kathy), nephews Jon Christian and Zach (Karen) Comer, nieces Karla, Julie, LeElaine, and Elizabeth Corner, Maria and Sara Butner, great-nephew Alex Butner and great-niece Lydia Comer, Godsons Cody Brandon, Harrison Wooten and Jason Flynn; several aunts; an uncle; and his faithful golden retriever, Blaze. "Embrace the day!" Ric told all who crossed his path, even as his days grew more difficult He not only embraced the day, Ric embraced life to its fullest. In the other half of his basement is a woodworking shop, where he went to create, even when he was so weak he required help to hold a saw. There, he turned slabs of rough lumber into gleaming tables and seats, and like everything he put his hand to, these pieces reflect a commitment to a job well-done—almost to near perfection. He lived by these words: "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."(Joshua 1:9) A service to celebrate Ric's life will be held at New Life Baptist Fellowship on Sunday, February 22, at 3:00 P.M., following a Visitation from 1:00-3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to New Life Baptist Fellowship.