Richard VanDyke, Sr. of Paris, TN passed away Monday, August 19, 2024, at Henry Co. Medical Center. His Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 am Saturday, August 24th at the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, 210 Jones St. in Puryear, TN, with Tom Andrews officiating.
Richard VanDyke was born May 22, 1940, in Elbert, WV to the late George Lee and Maggie Belle Dean VanDyke. On July 20, 2002, he married Pamela Swor VanDyke, and she survives in Paris, TN.
Richard was a member of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. He was a retired cutter grinder and after retirement drove a school bus for 20 years. He was a loving Popaw to all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Richard is also survived by two sons: Eddie (Amy) VanDyke and Andy (Christy) VanDyke, all of Paris; three sisters: Janis (Larry) Thurman of Damascus, MD, Phyllis (Stan) Hankins of Dolestown, OH and Ellen Bowling of Tampa, FL; one brother, Gordon (Mary) VanDyke of Lawndale, NC; seven grandchildren: Ryan (Mandy) Hamlin, Hunter (Brittney) VanDyke, Katie VanDyke, Zach (Alexis) VanDyke, Maggie VanDyke (Collin Howd), Ethan VanDyke, and Caleb VanDyke; seven great-grandchildren: Ellie, Emma, & Eden Hamlin; Vivian, Emilia, and Olivia Kate VanDyke, and Will Howd; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Besides his parents, Richard was also preceded in death by a son, William Richard VanDyke, Jr., and a sister, Edna Puckett.