COLUMBIA, S.C. - Funeral services for Thomas Legare Rish, 86, will be held Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with burial in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5 - 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, S.C. 29605. Mr. Rish died Tuesday, February 26, 2008. Born in Swansea, S.C., he was a son of the late Bayord Thomas and Zadie Cartin Rish. He served as 1st Machinist Mate on the USS McFarland AVD 14 and on the USS Charles R. Ware (DD865) during WW II. His unit was the first to receive the Presidential Citation Award for their efforts at Guadalcanal. He graduated and taught at Columbia Business College. Mr. Rish was a member of Crescent Hill Baptist Church and later became a member of Lexington Baptist Church. He was owner of Industrial Alignment and Frame Service from 1965 - 1994 and was one of the founders and past president of Independent Garage Owners Association (IGO), a S.C. organization. Mr. Rish was a founder of Truck Axle Repair Association (TARA), a world wide organization and was owner of Truck Supply Company from 1966 - 1994. He was a mason for over 50 years, a member of the Boyleston Lodge and achieved the level of Master Mason. Mr. Rish also was a member of the Jamil Temple. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Alice Eugenia Becknell Rish; two daughters, Patricia Oates of Rock Hill and Debra Patterson of Columbia; a son, Arthur Rish of Evans, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Mickelle Walker, R. Travis Rish, Angela Bradley, Bonnie Massengale, Landon Rish, Krista Cannon, Dawn York, A. Blakeley Rish and Jack Thomas Rish; and ten great-grandchildren, Tori Stoudenmire, Seth Stoudenmire, Amber Bradley, Rachel Massengale, Levi Bradley, Christian Stoudenmire, Philip Trevathon, Claire Rish, Olivia York and Henry Cannon. He was predeceased by a son, Robert T. Rish. Please sign the online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com
The Augusta Chronicle-February 28, 2008
