James David "Jim" Rich

James D. ‘Jim’ Rich, 75, of Due West, husband of Rebecca ‘Becky’ Burton Rich, died Friday, August 04, 2017 at his residence. He was born in Cripple Creek, VA to the late Rev. Fred Rich and Aline Ceary Rich. He served in United States Army during Vietnam and retired as a Sgt. Major of the South Carolina Army National Guard. Mr. Rich was a graduate of Rural Retreat High School in Rural Retreat, VA, Appalachian State University BS in 1972 and received his Master of Arts Degree from Appalachian in 1973. After his retirement as an Educator and Coach, he continued his education and received his Master of Arts Pastoral Ministry in 2005 from Erskine College Seminary. Coach Rich began his coaching career in multiple sports at Woodruff H.S., Cowpens H.S., Broome H.S., Whitmire H.S. and Dixie H.S. He was a beloved Coach and Leader. Coach Rich, while at Dixie High School, served as the assistant Principal and Football, Volleyball and Baseball Coach for many years. He was proud to have coached the 1988 and 1989 State Championship Dixie High School Volleyball Teams. Mr. Rich was named coach of year several times and the Dixie Baseball Field was named the James D. Rich Baseball Field in his honor. He was a member of the Due West ARP Church where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Elder and Vice Moderator of the Session. Jim was very involved and President of the Due West Lions Club. He was a mason and member of the Independent Lodge #23 AFM in Donalds, SC, a member of the S.C. Coaches Association and the Old 96 Model A Club. Coach Rich is survived by his wife of 43 years of the home; a son, Adam Rich and his wife Heather of Due West; two daughters, Roxanne Caldwell and her husband Tim of Piedmont, SC and Crystal Crocker and her husband Chris of Donalds; a brother, Steve Rich and his wife Judy of Asheville, NC; six grandchildren, Cassidy, Macy and Levi Caldwell, Ashton and Wade Crocker and Nash Rich. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 3:00PM Sunday, August 6, 2017 at the Due West ARP Church with the Rev. Calvin Draffin and Rev. Billy Slatten officiating. A nursery will be provided. Burial will follow with full military honors and masonic rites in the church cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers will be Brian Gamble, Jay Lown, Tracy Carter, Todd Carter, Todd Brown, Gene Duckett, Steve Dunlap, Jim Suber and Gordon Godfrey; Honorary Pallbearers will be the 2001 Dixie High School Baseball Team and the Due West ARP Church Elders. The family is at the residence. Memorial contributions, in memory of Coach James D. ‘Jim’ Rich, may be sent to the James D. Rich Scholarship Fund c/o The Dixie Foundation, PO Box 445, Due West, SC 29639. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Rich family.