Richard Ward Jett, 76, of Lynchburg, Va. went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, May 26, 2017 after being diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in January.
Richard was born in Roanoke to the late Thornton Ward Jett and Elva Fisher Jett. He was predeceased by his first wife, Esther ‘Boots’ Jett, and infant twin brother and two infant sisters.
Richard is survived by his wife, Beth; his son, Steve and his wife, Cheryl of Heathsville, Va.; his daughter, Sandra Goodman and her husband, Kenny of Forest, Va.; his sister, Carolyn Jett, of Lynchburg; three step-sons, Jeff Blair of Charlottesville, Va., Jon Blair and his wife Barb of Greenville, S.C., Joe Blair and his wife, Lee Anne of Spring Hill, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren, Tristan and Logan Goodman, Esther Chance Jett, Conley, Brynn, Trevor, Megan, Cade, Jude, Quinn, Tate, and Annalise Blair.
Richard graduated from Jefferson High School in 1958, from National Business College in 1960, and he served in the United States Army National Guard for six years.
Richard worked at Kroger for 14 years and was a director of sales for Gerber Foods for 23 years. In 1998 Richard began working for his church, Timberlake Baptist, as a business manager until January 2007. He then transitioned to Visitation Pastor from 2007 until January 2017. During his visitation ministry, Richard was able to witness, and provide encouragement and comfort to numerous families and always looked forward to sharing the word of God and offering a smile to those that he was fortunate enough to be able to visit.
Richard accepted Christ as his savior at the age of 12 at Grandin Court Baptist Church in Roanoke under the preaching of Pastor Frank G. Voight. Richard has been a member of Timberlake Baptist Church for over 50 years. During this time he was involved in the development of Timberlake Christian Schools and served on the school board for many years. Richard faithfully sang in the choir, served as a Deacon, served as church treasurer and was active in the Gideons for 33 years.
Richard loved giving support to young people involved in missions trips. He also supported several needy children in Burundi, Africa and Nepal thru his support of Allow the Children Ministries. Richard was a humble, yet generous, loving, godly man who never met a stranger. His serving nature and sense of humor enhanced and brightened the lives of many. Richard’s faith and devotion to sharing God’s word was evident in every aspect of his life.
The family would like to thank Rebecca and Harold with Centra Hospice, Valerie with Generations Solutions and a special friend and caregiver, Tyler Schnarr.
Memorial donations to P.S.P. research can be made to Cure PSP 30 E Padonia Rd, Suite 201, Timonium, Md. 21093 or to Allow the Children Ministries P.O. Box 15039 Lynchburg, Va. 24502-9004.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg. A Celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Timberlake Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery Vinton, Va. at 3 p.m.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
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