Jacksonville - A Celebration of Life for Johnnie Richey, 72 of Rusk, will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Rusk First United Methodist Church under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home with Pastor TJ Gableman officiating.

He passed away at home October 15, 2021. He was born April 2, 1949 in Jacksonville, Texas to the late Birdie and Hugh Richey. He graduated Rusk High School in 1967, went on to graduate from SFA with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Master's degree in Education. He went on to coach high school football the majority of his career, ending his coaching with junior college football. He was a member of Rusk First United Methodist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ronnie Ray Richey and brother-in-law Robert Holcomb.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan Richey of Rusk, children Jonathan and Ramey Richey of Rusk, Tara and Derek Diaz de Leon of Dallas, grandchildren Sally Jo Richey, Birdie Marie and Kingston Lux Diaz de Leon, brothers Jimmie and Nelda Richey, Pat and Synthia Richey, Richard and Sherry Holcomb and Elizabeth Holcomb and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Coach Richey coached at Rusk HS, Crosby HS, Anahuac HS, Barbers Hill HS, Marshall HS, Round Rock HS, Jacksonville HS, Palestine HS, Corsicana HS, Blooming Grove HS, Dawson HS, Lon Morris JUCO, and TJC. After retiring from coaching, he worked in quality control for Good Times Wood Product and Head of Marketing for Berry and Clay Construction Co.

He served as Chairman of Trustees of Rusk FUMC, Board of Director of Rusk Rural Water Supply Corporation, Board of Directors for Rusk High School Alumni Association. He was a member of Texas High School Coaching Association, and served as an official at the University Interscholastic League State Track and Field Meet.

Visitation will be immediately following the Celebration of Life service in the fellowship hall.

A gift in his name may be made to Rusk First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 99, Rusk, TX 75785, and Rusk Alumni Association, P.O. Box 711, Rusk, TX 75785.

The family wishes to extend a heart-felt thanks to the care they received from Heart to Heart Hospice and Baylor, Scott, and White doctors and staff of Dallas, TX.