Ricky Richards, who led the Lady Jackets basketball team to a state championship in 1998 and coached the team for 25 years, passed away on 22 January at his Tracy City home.
According to his family, the 76-year-old fell asleep in his favorite chair and did not wake up.
Highlights
- Ricky Richards is survived by his wife of 54 years, Harriet Parmley Richards, along with their children, Tony Richards II and Kimberly Turpen.
- A few weeks ago, Harriet Parmley Richards posted about a big family Christmas celebration on Facebook, with Coach Ricky Richards smiling in the front.
- Ricky was always joking around, often comparing himself to Walter, the puppet from Jeff Dunham’s comedy.
Ricky Richards is considered the most accomplished coach in Grundy County High School athletics history.
During his time with the team, Richards led them to 15 district titles, 23 regional championship appearances, and the 1998 AA Girls TSSAA State Championship.
Richards’ coaching journey began in 1969 at Coalmont Elementary in Tennessee, where he became the head coach of the Coalmont Rebels.
After four years, he moved to Shook Elementary School in 1973. Over the next eight years in his hometown of Tracy City, he helped the team win three consecutive Big 8 Championships.
Family And Friends Mourn The Loss Of Coach Ricky Richards
He was born on September 4, 1948, in Sewanee to Dorris and Alma (Knighton) Richards, both of whom have passed away.
Ricky Richards was preceded in death by his daughter, Tonya Richards, his brother, Bobby Lee Richards, and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Parmley.
He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Harriet (Parmley) Richards, along with their children, Tony Richards II (and his wife Charity) and Kimberly Turpen (and her husband Dan).
Further, he was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren- Trey and Cooper Richards, Madison Geary and Morgan, Hannah, Hudson, and Holden Turpen.
A few weeks ago, Harriet Parmley Richards posted about a big family Christmas celebration on Facebook, with Coach Ricky Richards smiling in the front.
After all, his wife and family deeply loved and cherished him.
He was exceptional as a teacher and coach, always treating his students and players like his own family.
He taught many subjects throughout his career, including Economics, Drivers Education, and Physical Education.
Similarly, Jessica McBee Lusk shared that while Ricky Richards was never her coach or teacher, he was a good friend.
Her family had known him for years, but it wasn’t until they worked together at GCHS that she truly got to know him.
Ricky was always joking around, often comparing himself to Walter, the puppet from Jeff Dunham’s comedy. She started calling him “Walter” because of it.
Some of her best memories were from the NYC/DC trip that he convinced her and Justin Lusk to chaperone.
She asks everyone to pray for his family, expressing how much they love them.
Ricky Richards was never my coach or my teacher, but he was my friend. His family has been in our lives all my life, but I honestly didn’t know him well until we worked together at GCHS. He was a mess. He would always compare himself to Walter (Jeff Dunham’s puppet). I started calling him Walter. He would have his drivers ed kids run errands for me and half the school I think lol. My fondest memories come from the NYC/DC trip that he talked Justin Lusk and I into chaperoning. We had the best time with he and Coach Holt. Both of them are gone now and it’s so hard to believe. Please pray for this precious family. We love you all.
Jessica McBee Lusk
Well, Richards believed that while winning is great, the real impact comes from the players’ lives, both on and off the court.
Looking out at the crowd of people he had coached, he felt overwhelmed and thankful to have been part of their lives.
Additional Information
- In December 2000, Richards was honored when the new gymnasium at the high school was dedicated to him, and banners were displayed naming it “Coach Ricky Richards Gym.”
- His Lady Jackets team defeated Howard 68-48 at home on January 24, 2006, marking this remarkable achievement.
- After stepping down as the head coach of the girls’ basketball team, Richards came back to coaching in 2006, leading the volleyball team for four seasons.
- He also worked as an assistant volleyball coach for one season in 2010 and helped with the girls’ basketball team as an assistant in the 2017-18 season.
