Richard O. McDole

Richard Owen McDole, 84, was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Graveside services will be held on Friday May 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Rev. Kent Wilson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel.

Richard was born on February 3, 1938 in Milton, Kentucky to Owen Silas and Bessie Pearl McDole. He grew up on the farm working with his entire family, including siblings Bob, Jo, and Betty. Richard joined the United States Air Force and served 21 years in such locations as Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma. During his time in Altus, Oklahoma he met a married Mary Joyce Hukill on June 16, 1957.

After his retirement as TSgt in November of 1974, he enrolled in Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. While completing his degree, he started his first church plant Hillside Baptist Church just north of Springfield, Missouri. Through his years of ministry, Rev. McDole served in Enid, Mangum and Altus, OK; spent years serving the Sioux Indians in South Dakota; and started Hilltop Baptist Church (now Green Road Baptist Church) in Madison, Indiana.

He was a friend to many, and an influence on multitudes more. Richard loved to golf, share morning breakfast at a local spot, read his Bible, watch westerns, and pick on people as his favorite past times. And, he always loved trading cars - both new and especially the classics.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Bessie McDole, his parents-in-law Jess and Irene Hukill, his siblings Clyde, Charles Robert (Bob) McDole, Betty Jean Milholland and Don, and eldest son Richard Owen (Rick) McDole, Jr.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Mary Joyce McDole. His daughter, Deborah Denise Thompson, and husband, Tim, of Chattanooga. His sons, Timothy Jay McDole and wife Kelly of Brandenburg, Kentucky, and Craig Alan McDole, and wife, Lindsey of Hobart, Oklahoma. His grandchildren, Jeremy Thompson and wife Tiffany, Kevin Thompson and wife Kim, Kyle McDole and wife Brittany, Kris McDole, Tyler McDole and Trinity McDole. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, his sister, Mary Alice (Jo) James, several nieces and nephews, many ministry friends and other extended family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Savannah Bay Baptist Church, 8018 Ooltewah Georgetown Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363.

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