James Robert Rich

Retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant James Robert Rich age 88 of Buchanan, died Thursday, December 5, 2019, at Saint Thomas West Hospital in Nashville.

He was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Vietnam era.  James received certificates of achievement in communications in the 1 ^st Armored Division Intelligence School, and in signal school.  He received two bronze stars for his two tours in Vietnam, and the Army commendation medal for meritorious service.  Upon retirement from the military, James became a plant engineer for Mission Linen Uniform Company in El Paso, TX, where he worked for several years. He loved being outdoors where he enjoyed hunting and fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, and traveling in his RV.  James was Methodist in faith and a lifetime member of the VFW.

Born February 28, 1931, in Huntingdon, TN, he was the son of the late Thomas James Rich and the late Edith Marie Byars Rich Wiggleton.  He is survived by his wife Brigitte Jablonski Rich, whom he married July 7, 1967.

Along with his wife, survivors include his three daughters, Debra Seager of Ayers, MA, Brigitte (David) Hayes of Midland, TX, and Tina Marie (Gary) Rich-Passman of Buchanan, TN; four sons, James Robert (Cathie) Rich, Jr. of Jackson, TN, Danny Lee (Tammy) Rich of Lexington, TN, James Thomas (Cindy) Rich of Lexington, TN, and Ricky Wayne Rich of Lexington, TN; one brother, John Wiggleton, Jr. of Huntingdon, TN; two local granddaughters, Brigitte Gail Passman and Aleece Marie Passman; and several other grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Creath Rich and two sisters, Mary Sue Scott and Shirley Ann Wilkes.

Ridgeway Funeral Home 201 Dunlap St., Paris, TN 38242 will be handling the arrangements.  His body is to be cremated.

Memorial visitation will be Wednesday, December 11, 2019 from 12 – 2 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home with a memorial service with military honors at 2:00 pm Wednesday at LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home with Deacon Rodney Seyller officiating.

A Reception will follow the service on Wednesday at the VFW on E. Wood St. in Paris.

Memorials may be made to the Tipton County, TN 4-H, P.O. Box 523, Covington, TN 38019-0523.