Benny Ray Rich, age 62, of Easley, SC, formerly of Gainesville, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 8, 2023, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Benny was born February 1, 1960, to the late Raymond & Evelyn Martin Rich. He was a graduate of Johnson High School. In his early years, Benny had his hand in several areas. He was a former driver with Rich Racing Team #2 and member of the Hall County Fire Department. He went on to work for several years and eventually retired from Moreno Press/Dittler Brothers, where, with his inventive mind, he earned no fewer than 18 patents. After his short retirement, Benny designed and constructed several athletic fields in Northeast Georgia with Sport Fields Unlimited, Inc, as well as owning & operating a landscape design company, Amber Leaf Outdoor Living.
Benny lit up a room as soon as he would walk in; he had that natural draw with people. In his spare time, he loved golfing, fishing, and watching his Georgia Bulldogs play football. However, his greatest joy was watching his children compete in sports. He loved his children and loved to see them thrive. Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Rich & his brother, Robert Rich.
Left to cherish precious memories, wife, Amber Forrester King of Easley, SC; children, Caleb (Teresia) Rich of Denver, CO, Derek (Ansley) Rich & their son, Cooper, of Atlanta, GA, Mallory (William) Shatlock of Birmingham, AL; brother, Christopher Rich of Charlotte, NC; Nephews, Tony (Jessica) Rich & their daughter, Evie of AL & Terry Rich of TX; ex-wife & mother of his children, Kathleen Martin Rich of Orange Park, FL; Benny loved his many cousins & extended family members.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Pine Crest Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the service time.
The family has asked, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to Prisma Health Palliative Care, Pine Crest Baptist Church, The Pine Crest WMU, or Eagle Ranch.
You may sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence at www.wardsfh.com.
Ward’s Funeral Home of Gainesville is honored to serve the family of Benny Ray Rich.
