Bobby J. Rich, 79, retired coach and educational administrator, died at home Friday, April 22, 2011. He was under the care of Blue-Gray Hospice of Fitzgerald. After retiring from education Coach Rich was owner and operator of Rich’s Screen Printing and Awards, Inc.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, April 25, 2011, at Big Creek Baptist Church in Irwin County with the Rev. Wayne McCrimmon and the Rev. Ed Reeves officiating. Interment will follow at 4:00 PM in the Swainsboro City Cemetery, Swainsboro, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 until 9 PM Sunday evening.
Early accomplishments included being named to the Georgia All State Football team as a tackle from Swainsboro High School, and playing in the North-South All Star Football Game. Outstanding play at Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, GA earned him Junior College All American honors and resulted in a football scholarship to Austin Peay State College, Clarksville, TN, where he received his B.S. Degree. Later he received a Master of Eduction degree from Peabody College for Teacher, Nashville, TN. His career as a football coach and athletic director included time at Calhoun County, Sparta, Cook, Northside of Warner Robins, Dublin, Brooks County, and Lumpkin County High Schools. During his 26 year career Coach Rich earned the respect and admiration of players and coaches throughout the state. He was a Coach of the Year selection; he was elected president of the Georgia High School Athletic Coaches Association and was a director of that organization for several years. He was principal of Hawkinsville High School and Adrian School. Coach Rich was a faithful Christian, serving as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and on various church committees through the years. At the time of his death he was a member of Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Irwinville, GA.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Beasley Rich of Ben Hill County; 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law: J. Dennis and Donna Rich of Ben Hill County and Donald and Sara Rich of Quitman; Daughter and son-in-law: Sallie and Erett Oden of Clarksville, TN; ten grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and brother-in-law: Edith Lyon of Metter and Patsey and Rudy Gray of Swainsboro; 2 brothers and 2 sisters-in-law: Wyatt and Bessie Neele Rich and Dennis and Peggy Rich, all of Swainsboro. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo Dennis Rich and Lena Mae Black Rich and son, Franklin Overbey Rich.
Ben Snipes, Phil Jones, Jamie Felts, Carol Eldridge, Marvin Tarpley, and Thomas Edwards will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include all former players and fellow coaches who are in attendance.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Samaritan Hospitality House, Inc, established by the Rich family as a home to Shand’s Hospital patients and their families facing medical crises. Send donations to P.O. Box 311, Quitman, GA 31643 or give them to Betty Rich for proper distribution. This is a non-profit organization.