Richard Atchison

Richard Homer Atchison, 87 passed away on Sunday, June 19th at his home in Baton Rouge.

Richard "Dick" Atchison was born in the farming community of Carrs Station, Georgia to Robert and Elizabeth Atchison on February 2, 1929.

Growing up in rural Georgia, Dick developed a love for the outdoors and the sport of boxing. Fishing and hunting were two of his favorite activities with boxing ranking number one through most of his youth until Dick realized just how rough of a sport it could be. Later in life, Dick enjoyed bowling and eventually landed on golf, which he was known to say he was "never any good at" but enjoyed playing anyway.

Dick attended Sparta High School where he was honored by being elected senior class president by his classmates. After completing high school, Dick enlisted into the United States Navy and served on the USS Assoria and the USS Bryce Canyon from 1946 to 1948 and was recalled in 1950 to serve 2 additional years during the Korean War. Dick was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1951.

Immediately following his military duty, Dick joined Massman Construction Company and during his 10-year employment there, worked his way up from a typist during the construction of the Sinclair Dam at Milledgeville, Georgia to a project office manager on the Mississippi River Bridge substructure project in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he and wife, Vivian "Vi" Weinandt Atchison planted roots and raised their family. Dick's career included employment opportunities at several other Baton Rouge construction companies that brought him project work from small towns like Lulling, Louisiana all the way to Kingston, Jamaica.

In retirement Dick volunteered at Kid's Hope, tutoring underprivileged children and St Vincent DePaul's serving food to the homeless. He was also a deacon at the Chapel on the Campus and loved working in the baby nursery. He also took up woodworking and enjoyed working in "Pop's Shop" on various projects, that he would generously give away to family and friends.

Dick took great pride in serving his country in the military and being able to recite the Gettysburg's Address in it's entirely!

His greatest life time accomplishments were raising his five children, seeing his Christian faith passed down to his 10 grandchildren by his children and knowing his legacy would continue through the births of his great-grandchildren but all pales in comparison to his marriage of nearly 60 years to the love of his life, his forever girlfriend and wife, Vi who was truly his most prized earthly possession.

Richard is preceded in death by daughter, Renae Atchison Rowell and wife Vivian Weinandt Atchison.

Richard is survived by Fred Atchison, Bernard Atchison, wife Val, Barbara Atchison Cheeves, husband Charles, Betty Atchison Markles, Shelly Atchison Gowdy, husband Wayne, Mary Atchison Daffin, husband Terry, Steven Atchison, wife Sharye and Todd Atchison.

Grandchildren, Terrance A. Daffin, wife Chanel, Michael C. Rowell, W. Bennett Gowdy, wife Amanda, Christopher P. Rowell, Casey Daffin-Wayland, husband Jeremy, Sarah Gowdy Harold, husband John, Jessica Atchison, Matthew Atchison, Luke Atchison and Jordan Atchison.

Great Grandchildren, Tyler Daffin, Bryce Daffin, Braylen Daffin, Harper and Hunter Wayland.

Services are to be held at the Chapel at the Oaks 9611 Siegen Lane, Baton Rough 70810. Visitation will be held Monday, June 27, 2016 from 9:00 AM until Memorial Service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gift in Richard Atchison may be sent to DISABLED VETERANS at
dav.org or
DAV
P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH 45250-0310

Visitation

Chapel at the Oaks
9611 Siegen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA  70810
Monday, June 27, 2016
9:00 am - 11:00 am

Service

Chapel at the Oaks
9611 Siegen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA  70810
Monday, June 27, 2016
11:00 am