Wallace "Wally" Rich

Wallace (Wally) Rich, 86, passed away February 10, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. The first of two sons, Wally was born to Willie Clyde “Bill” and Pearl Rhoten Rich in Tompkinsville, Kentucky on August 6, 1935.

Wally graduated from Tompkinsville High School in 1953. His closest friends affectionately called him

“Juicy Pig” after the restaurant his parents owned and operated. Wally attended Western Kentucky University and married Evelyn Birch in December 1955. Together they had three children: Vicki, Greg and Vanessa. Among other things, Wally taught for two years at Slick Rock School, which was a one-room schoolhouse that included grades 1 – 8. He also served with honor in the Kentucky Army National Guard for 13 years.

Wally owned and lived on a farm in Tompkinsville, where he raised Polled Hereford beef cattle. He owned and operated the Rich Sales Preparation Service in which he fitted and prepared beef cattle for shows and sales. A certified livestock auctioneer, Wally even conducted some of the cattle sales himself. In 1968, Wally closed his business, which was operating in 22 states at the time, to join the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Because of his experience working with cattle and managing the Monroe County Fair for several years, he was appointed as the Director of Shows and Fairs. With the job change, Wally moved his family to Frankfort, Kentucky. He enjoyed his time traveling and working with county fairs all over Kentucky.

In 1972, Wally relocated his family to Tallahassee to accept the position of Bureau Chief of Fairs and Expositions for the Florida Department of Agriculture. He loved traveling and visiting the different places across Florida for the next two decades. Wally was a people person who never met a stranger.

On March 7, 1980, Wally married Lee Perkins Lane. With this union, he was blessed to inherit another beautiful daughter, Sybill.

After retiring from the Florida Department of Agriculture, he discovered that sitting at home was not for him, so he began working in the garden center at Walmart. Wally definitely had a “green thumb” and could make anything grow. During his ten years with Walmart, he worked his way up to Assistant

Manager. Then his dream job came along—the Manager of the Pro Shop at Summerbrooke Golf

Club. He was in his “happy place” being able to work and play golf as much as he wanted.

In 2004, Wally and Lee moved to Bradenton to begin a new adventure. Wally was happy to work with his daughter Sybill in her Interior Design business. He was very talented and skilled at woodworking and could build almost anything she needed. Wally loved the Lord and was a devoted member of Lakewood Ranch Baptist Church, where he enjoyed serving as a greeter.

Wally was an avid sportsman. He loved to fish and hunt and cherished that time with friends and relatives. He really enjoyed watching FSU football, golf, basketball and baseball. But nothing compared to watching his beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats – he always said he “bled Kentucky Blue”. Wally loved playing golf and was privileged to play on many golf courses across the USA and even made two “holes-in-one”.

Wally was the family entertainer and life of the party. He would keep everyone entertained for hours with his tales of growing up in Tompkinsville, including all the silly and daring things he used to do with his friends. He loved to laugh and make others laugh with him. From childhood on, one of Wally’s favorite past times was watching westerns; especially those featuring John Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents Willie Clyde “Bill” Rich and Pearl Rhoten Rich and by his younger brother Willis Rich.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years Lee Rich, his children, Vicki (Larry) Register of Tallahassee, Florida; Greg (Kathy) Rich and Vanessa (Wesley) Shivers all of Crawfordville, Florida; and Sybill (Brant) Webb of Sarasota, Florida.

Grandchildren: Ryan (Jenny) Register; Lindsey (Brian) Mimbs; Amber (Tim) Lawton; Tim (Stephanie) Tice; Dillan (Brittany) Rich; and Carter and Connor Johnson and Colton Webb.

Great-Grandchildren: Palmer Register; Bryson, Levi, and Ellie Mimbs; Henry and Samuel Lawton; Alex and Jonathan Tice; and Kayla and Zachery Yarborough and Lola Rich.

Sister-in-law Peggy (Ray) Auman and Brother-in-law Ralph (Cheryl) Perkins along with nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Services: Visitation is Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 1:00 pm followed by the Celebration of Life beginning at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home at 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312. Interment is at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park.

To view the Celebration of Life livestream please visit:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87543045509?pwd=ZUNpQnEwbkFiUURTNk1JZDdOSkpGdz09

Meeting ID: 875 4304 5509

Passcode: 638386

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions may be made to the Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238 or to your local Alzheimer’s Association Group.