The Elizabethton community was saddened Monday to hear of the death of Carter County Commissioner Rick Richardson Monday morning after a brief illness.

Richardson was elected to the Carter County Commission in 2018, representing the Eighth District, which included the Harold McCormick and Elizabethton High School precincts. He served as chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, which has oversight for the county facilities and was a member of the Financial Management, Health & Welfare, Law Enforcement and Rules & Bylaws Committees.

County Mayor Rusty Barnett in a statement to the STAR Monday evening said, “I am very saddened to hear about the passing of Commissioner Richardson. He was a dedicated commissioner, who represented his constituents with honor and dignity. He will be greatly missed by his fellow commissioners and the county’s elected officials.

Richardson was born and raised in Elizabethton, the son of Mrs. Darlene Smith and the late Quinton Richardson. A 1973 graduate of Elizabethton High School, he received a B.S. degree in journalism in 1978 from East Tennessee State University.

He began his career at the Johnson City Press in 1979 and worked in advertising and multi-media sales until his retirement in 2014.

Richardson was well-known in the community, having devoted much of his life to public service. In addition to serving on the county commission, he had been a long-time member of the Carter County Little League, coaching more than 20 years in the National Little League and later the Cal Ripken League. He also served as president of the league. During that time he coached hundreds of Little Leaguers.

Richardson also coached youth basketball at the Elizabethton/Carter County Boys and Girls Club for many years.

A devout Christian, Richardson was a faithful and long-time member of Borderview Christian Church, where he served as a deacon for over 20 years.

Fellow church member Scott Reynolds said, “Rick was very faithful to his church and was there from the word ‘go.’ We were very blessed to have him as a member of our congregation. He served in so many capacities – Sunday School teacher, treasurer, ministry team leader, and deacon. He was an outstanding person, who rarely missed church or a board meeting. His health in recent years had slowed him down, but Rick remained involved and was always there to help. We surely are going to miss him.”

He was also an avid gardener and rose grower, and was the founder and first president of the Watauga Valley Rose Society. Richardson also served for many years as a consulting rosarian for the American Rose Society.

In addition to his father, Richardson was preceded in death by his only brother, Bill Richardson.

He is survived by his two children, Keely Richardson Goodwin of Kingsport and Cory Richardson, Elizabethton; two granddaughters, Jovie and Lindy Goodwin; his mother, Darlene Smith, Elizabethton; and several special cousins and friends.

Richardson was a passionate University of Tennessee Volunteer fan who attended as many UT football and basketball games as possible to root for his beloved Big Orange. For that reason, his family encourages those attending visitation and/or services for him to honor his love of the Vols by wearing Tennessee orange.

A service celebrating the life of Rick Richardson will be held Wednesday, April 24, at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 212 N. Main St., with Scott Fisher, senior minister at Borderview Christian Church, and Randy Carrier officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by the Celebration of Life service at 7 p.m.

The graveside service will be at Happy Valley Memorial Park at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Pallbearers who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Thursday include Randy Carrier, Leonard February, Ray Don Markland, Scott Reynolds, Matt Fisher, Joel Norris, Jody Crowe, Raymond Morton, Jordan Hinshaw, Travis Lowe, Justin Wandell and Sage Richardson. Honorary pallbearers are Tony Bowers, Jerry Bowers, the Carter County Commission, and the Borderview Christian Church family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Rick’s memory be honored with a donation to the Elizabethton/Carter County Boys & Girls Club, 104 Hudson Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or to Borderview Christian Church, 1338 Bristol Hwy., Elizabethton, TN 37643. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Thursday to go to the cemetery.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Richardson family