Richard H Gilreath

Richard H. Gilreath, Dick/Dickie to his family, 72 of Tyler, TX passed away Oct. 7, 2017 at home, peacefully, with his wife close by. He was one of seven children born to Fred M. Gilreath and Elizabeth Ann Gilreath on Aug. 22, 1945, in Henderson Co., NC. He served 3 years in Korea with the U. S. Army until March 31, 1970 when he was honorably discharged from active service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two older brothers Fred M. Gilreath, Jr. and Mike Gilreath. Left to cherish his memory, are his wife of 46 years, Jackie, of Tyler and his brother Bud Gilreath of Mills River, NC. Also sisters Barb Green of Hendersonville, NC, Cindy Barnett of Austin, TX, and Kathy Bradley of Greenville, SC; cousin Harold Gilreath of Jackson, GA, various nieces, nephews and, of course, his own furry guardian angel, Charlie Brown (Dog).

For two years, Rich took the train from Indiana to Chicago spending 30 minutes, morning and night, with his commuter buddy 'Ruthie'. (Over the course of that period, twice a day, they revealed many 'secrets' known only to each other. . . much like you might do when chatting with a complete stranger on an airplane!) That arrangement ended however, when he married her daughter Jacqueline E. Hanley on Oct. 8, 1971. They had no children, but their extended family was most important to them both.

Rich worked as a Purchasing Agent for Standard Oil in Chicago, Arizona Welding Co., Gates Learjet, Allied Signal/Honeywell, and Garrett Industrial Supply, all of Tucson, AZ.

After being introduced to the sport by Jackie, Rich enjoyed bowling "with" her, in Tucson and Tyler, as long as they were on SEPARATE teams!

Thanks to his older brother Mike, the Masonic fraternity played a big role in Rich's life, in Chicago, Tucson and subsequently the Lodge in Whitehouse, TX. While residing in Illinois, he was initiated on Oct 9, 1974, Passed on July 9, 1975 and Raised on July 12, 1975 in the Integrity Lodge #997. After moving to Tucson, he was Past Master of Nelson C. Bledsoe Lodge #74 in 2007. For years, Rich enjoyed running a Masonic Loan Chest, which provided free home-health medical equipment, to one and all. In addition, he was extremely proud of his work establishing the Arizona Masonic Widows Program, which was adopted by Grand Lodges in a number of other states, possibly Texas.

He and Jackie moved to Tyler in 2014, where he volunteered at the Meals on Wheels Ministry delivering food three days/week, initially, and more recently, helping in the administration's offices. He made a lot of friends there, with management, fellow volunteers and clients alike.

Texans should be very proud of their highly visible support of Veteran's ... In only his second year in Tyler, Rich felt quite honored to ride a float in the Rose Parade representing the Korea War and Korea Service Veterans group. The response from the crowd lining the street, adults clapping and cheering, little kids excitedly waving their flags and saying "Thank you, thank you for your service", even being saluted by some, totally overwhelmed him. "Jackie, I was crying so hard I had to put on my sunglasses! - It's been 50 years, I've never been treated like that." Just last week, he put his name down to ride this year.

Sadly, he might not be there, but happily his heart and spirit will shed tears again, while enjoying the ride.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 4:00 - 6:00 pm (?) on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, 12053 State Highway 64 West, Tyler, TX 75701, 903 597-1396. It is at Jackie's request, that you dress casually (even blue jeans), bring a story to share and please make sure you sign the Guest Book; food will be served. Rich's ashes will be scattered in The Chiricahua National Monument, near Tucson, by long-time friend Wes Stokes and some of Rich's favorite Masonic Brothers, just like he did, for others, over the years. Memorials may be made in Rich's name to Patriot Paws Service Dogs, 254 Ranch Trail, Rockwall, TX 75032 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements under the direction of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home - Cemetery and Mausoleum, Tyler, TX.