Mr. Robert Lee Rich Sr

Robert Lee Rich, Sr. of Garland, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at home with his family members at his bedside. He was born December 18, 1925 in Sampson County to the late Lewis Henry Rich and Sarah Elizabeth Merritt Rich and was preceded in death by his three brothers and five sisters. Graduating from Garland High School in 1943, he attended Campbell College where he was a member of the baseball team. He served the US Army as a combat engineer in the Korean War and was honorably discharged from active duty in 1952. He subsequently returned to Garland where he was self-employed for over 60 years in several businesses including a service station, sawmill and various timber harvesting operations, most recently Robert Rich Timber Harvesting where he was an innovator and inspiration to many in the logging and timber business. He was also a dedicated public servant, serving many years as a town commissioner and mayor of Garland as well as serving his local church. An avid outdoorsman, he loved time spent hunting with his family members, close friends and business associates in the Canetuck region of southeastern North Carolina.
Robert was married March 24, 1956 to Frances Morrow McDaniel also of Garland and together they raised four children as well as several grand and great grandchildren. Preceded in death by granddaughter Danielle Rich, he is survived by his wife Frances, sons Robert L. “Chuck” Rich, Jr MD and wife Faye of Bladenboro, Daniel H. Rich and wife Laurie of Garland, Raymond W. Rich and wife April of Harrells and daughter Carrie Frances Rich Cain and husband Sanford Carl of Harrells, grandson Jason Lee Cain and wife Amanda of Harrells, grandson Alexander R. Rich of Harrells, granddaughter Kathy Metrick and husband Aaron of Midlothian, Va. and greatgrandchildren Sarah Grace Cain, Conner L. Cain, Charlotte Metrick and Arabelle Metrick. Visitation will be at Carter Funeral Home, Garland between 6 and 8 PM, Thursday, November 12, 2015 with funeral services being held at Garland Pentecostal Freewill Baptist, Garland, 2 PM, Friday November 13, 2015. Services will be conducted by the Reverends Marty Tew, Dewey Ball and Archie Paul Bullard with internment at the Garland Cemetery afterwards. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NC State Natural Resources Foundation, Inc., Campus Box 8010, Raleigh North Carolina, 27695, Robert Rich, Sr. memorial or 3-HC Healthcare and Hospice, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534.
The family wishes to recognize the care and comfort given to our husband and father by Ms. Jennie Richardson, Mrs. Claudia Mathis, Ms. Lila Baldwin and Rev Archie Paul Bullard.

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