Richard L. Hempy (87) went home to be with the Lord on January 26, 2024. Richard was born February 9, 1936 in the small town of Rushsylvania, Ohio to Myron (Bud) and Mabel Hempy. He joined an older brother, Alvah Myron (AM) and sister, Betty Jean.

Richard grew up helping his father do chores around the dairy farm, and also assisting his mother with all that needed to be done around the house. As a young boy growing up on a farm, he considered his best friends to be his gun and his dog, Fannie.

As Richard grew older, he began raising sheep and proudly showed them at many county fairs, and even at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus. He became so skilled that soon other farmers began hiring him to show their sheep and hay. He earned the honor of being named the Future Farmer of America for the state of Ohio. Little did they know at the time that he had no plans to remain on the farm.

Richard graduated from Rushsylvania High School in 1954. He liked to brag that he was third in his graduating class, but then had to admit that in his school that contained grades one through twelve, there were only eleven total students in his class. During high school, Richard was a member of the basketball team, and enjoyed playing trumpet in the school band. After graduation, he packed his bags and headed off to The Ohio State University where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration. It was also during this time that Richard enlisted as a reserve duty service member in the United States Air Force. This is where he perfected his cooking skills that so many of his family and friends have had the privilege to enjoy over the years.

After his college graduation, Richard moved to New York City to begin his first job with Uniroyal. After six years, he was sent to Winnsboro, SC to oversee the building of a new polymer plant. It was there that he first experienced something of a culture shock to see people eating traditionally southern foods such as fried okra, grits, and cornbread. Uniroyal eventually closed the plant in South Carolina, and Richard took a job at Chattanooga General Services located in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he subsequently worked for over 35 years.

In 1983, Richard married Joy Ward, and they created a blended family of his two sons, David and Brian, and her daughter, Kendall. Richard

and Joy believed that doing activities together would help unite them and build a closer family. They worshiped together on Sundays, spent summers vacationing at Fripp Island, SC as well as Rushsylvania, OH where they would visit family and attend the Ohio State Fair. They also enjoyed spending much of the summer boating and water skiing along the Tennessee River.

In the 1990's, Richard and Joy set out to see the United States where they discovered our country to be extremely beautiful and quite diverse. They were able to visit all 50 states as well as 53 of America's wonderfully scenic national parks.

Richard and Joy soon expanded their adventures to include traveling abroad. They visited 6 continents, and enjoyed every moment of their trips together. Richard especially liked Italy and touring both the Coliseum and the Sistine Chapel. He found it difficult to grasp how Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel while lying on his back. He thought meeting the Maasai Warriors on the Serengeti and seeing the Pyramids of Egypt were highlights of their travels. He was particularly fascinated with Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, but most of all, he enjoyed meeting the locals in pubs, on local buses, and in the marketplaces.

Richard had 5 grandchildren and enjoyed attending their school events and visiting with them. As each grandchild reached the age of 13, Richard and Joy provided them the opportunity to go on a trip to the Grand Canyon and the surrounding areas. Many great memories were made on these trips.

Richard was a member of First Presbyterian Church Chattanooga where he held the office of deacon for several years. Since 2013, he had volunteered with the Metanoia Prison Ministry at Walker State Prison where he faithfully mentored his friend Tim for the last 10 years.

Richard is survived by his wife of 40 years, Joy; sons David (Kim) of Chattanooga, TN and Brian of Columbia, SC and daughter Kendall Rogers (Brad) of Winchester, VA; his 5 grandchildren, Nolan and Connor Hempy of Columbia, SC; Karis and Brycen Hempy of Chattanooga, TN; and Berkeley Rogers of Winchester, VA; his sister-in-law, Connie Hempy of Rushsylvania, OH; his brothers-in-law Allie Schrader of Belle Center, OH,  Richard Whitten  and Stephen Whitten (Linda) of Chattanooga, TN; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will have a private graveside ceremony. There will be a Celebration of Life at First Presbyterian Church Chattanooga located at 554 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, February 5th, from 12:30 to 2:00 with the celebration following the visitation at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider making a memorial contribution to one of the following:

Metanoia Prison Ministries PO Box 11092 Chattanooga, TN 37401;

Sacred Road Ministries PO Box 400 Harrah, WA 98933 Designate to 621- Clevenger, Chuck;

Gideons International Chattanooga East Camp PO Box 8792 Chattanooga, TN 37414.

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343.