Richard Shugart

Richard Wood Shugart Jr., 73, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at Erlanger Medical Center after a brief hospitalization. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Wood and Gwendolyn Coker Shugart, of Fort Payne, Ala. Richard is survived by his sisters, Sarah (Sally) Shugart Akins (Nick), of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Jane Shugart Murphy (Michael), of Goodletsville, Tenn.; nieces and nephews, Jessica Murphy (Niels Piepgrass), Nicholas Akins (Carolyn), and Suzanne Akins Richards; and great-nieces and nephew, Addie Richards, Lauren, Allison, and James Akins. Richard was born in Gadsden, Ala., on Aug. 4, 1944. He grew up in Fort Payne, Ala., and graduated from Fort Payne High School in May, 1962. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Economics from the University of Alabama in May, 1966, Richard entered the U.S. Marine Corp. He served in South Vietnam as a forward observer and fire direction officer and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was promoted to First Lieutenant before leaving the military in 1969. Richard returned to Fort Payne in the fall of 1969 and joined the family business, W.Y. Shugart & Sons, Inc... At the hosiery mill he served as treasurer, being responsible for all the accounting duties. During that time he served on the Chamber of Commerce, he was chairman of the Red Cross, and co-chairman of the Heart Fund. He belonged to the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. Richard returned to the University of Alabama in the fall of 1983 to complete a masters in Accounting, graduating magna cum laude in May, 1985. He moved to Chattanooga, TN in 1985 and worked as a CPA at Joseph Decosimo and Company for several years. While in Chattanooga, he was an active member of First Centenary United Methodist. He volunteered service with Chattanooga Room at the Inn and enjoyed singing in the choir. In 1995, Richard returned to Fort Payne. Richard was always glad to lend a helping hand to others. He provided tutoring at the Dekalb Public Library for students trying to complete their GED. He also assisted families with filing their taxes. He enjoyed many hobbies during his lifetime, including tennis, running, rowing on the Tennessee River, bike riding, and reading. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Payne, Ala., on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Richard requested donations be made to CARE, 151 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303-2440 or Chattanooga Room in the Inn, PO Box 3564, Chattanooga, TN 37404. Condolences may be made on Wilson Funeral Home & Crematory’s website, www.wilsonfhinc.com.