James Ray Rikard

James Ray Rikard, 92, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2020 surrounded by his wife and children. Graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, August 8, at 3:00 PM at Nazareth United Methodist Church Cemetery with Reverend Roger Phillips officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

He was born on August 18, 1927 to Horace S. and Lizzie Shealy Rikard. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He retired from Greenwood Mills, Joanna Plant after 49 years of service. He was a WWII Army Veteran serving as a military policeman in Sugamo, Japan and was honorably discharged in 1947.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Elisa Liman Rikard and his children, Calvin Rikard (Gwen), Shelby Rikard Hydrick (Don), Nelson Rikard (Joyce), Steve Rikard, Roger Rikard (Brender), Joel Rikard (Kelly Lewis) and Sharon Rikard Kneece; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his eight children, Annie Ruth Kirkland Rikard and his son, Bobby Ray Rikard; granddaughter, Amanda Elizabeth Rikard; great grandson, Quentin Michael Hall, brothers, Enos, Travis and Harbin Rikard; sisters, Loree McGee and Jerusha Roberts.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the charity of one’s choice.