Richard Lee Armbrister Sr.

Mr. Richard Lee Armbrister, Sr. (Rick), husband of JoAnn Siddens Armbrister, died February 19, 2024. He was born in Pulaski, VA to the late Isabel Gilmer Armbrister (2010) and the late Reverend George W. Armbrister, Sr. (2005), both of Knoxville, TN. He was preceded in death by his brother, George William Armbrister, Jr. (1989).

Rick was a graduate of Young High School, formerly in Knoxville, and received his BS in Mathematics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was an active member of Church Street United Methodist Church; a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, Fraternal Order of Masons Lodge 244, Knoxville Scottish Rite Bodies, Kerbela Temple, and was a Tennessee Colonel under Gov. Phil Bredeson. Rick worked for the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville before leaving to serve as Senior Systems Administrator for the United States Marshals Service for 16 years, with his office in Knoxville, TN.

Rick is survived by his wife of 48 years, JoAnn Siddens Armbrister; their daughter Stephanie Lee Armbrister Strutner, husband Matt, and granddaughter Blair; and son Richard Lee Armbrister, Jr, all of Knoxville, TN.

He was a faithful, and loving husband; a devoted, caring, and wonderful father; a fun-loving and generous Papa Bear; and most of all a devoted Christian. One of his favorite places was on the dance floor: while he loved the finer things in life, he stood at the ready to get his hands dirty in the next project. As described by his friend, “The core Rick Armbrister archetype is him standing in a kitchen, preparing something delicious while entertaining, advising, consoling, or whatever the situation required. Any time anyone was in the bubble of his orbit, you were family, and he cared for you. He loved you. He literally and figuratively fed you. Because of [Rick] and the love he shared, no one in the family—both blood relatives and the thousands more acquired relatives—ever has or ever will go hungry. Even though he's gone, our hearts (and our bellies) will remain full.”

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Church Street United Methodist Church (Parish Hall). A memorial service will occur after at 2:00 PM, officiated by Rev. Catherine Clark Nance and Rev. Jan Buxton-Wade. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be sent to (RED) AIDs Foundation, American Cancer Society Foundation—Hope Lodge (Nashville, TN); Alzheimer’s Association of Tennessee, Church Street United Methodist Church, or Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley.

Online condolences may be left at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Armbrister family.