Richard Gene Gaddis

     Richard Gene Gaddis, age 70 of Lick Creek, went home, Saturday, March 23, 2024. He was born July 23, 1953 in Anna, the son of Eugene and Lois Eileen (Nordmeyer) Gaddis.

     Richard is survived by his daughter, Amanda Gaddis of Anna; son Joshua (Nikki) Johns of Jonesboro; five grandchildren, Mykayla Parr, Alexis Eddleman, Lucas and Avery Smith, and Jackson Johns; siblings, Shirley (Gorden) Montgomery of Goreville, Nina (Jack) Shepard of Ullin, Larry (Kelly) Gaddis of Dongola, Tammy Gaddis of Tyler, TX and Tony (Sharity) Gaddis of Alto Pass; numerous nieces, nephews; great-nieces and nephews; special friends, Rodney (Debbie) Cross of Jonesboro and Dick Kristoff of Lick Creek; other relatives and a lifetime of great friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, Margaret Louise Gaddis and brother, Eddie Gaddis.

     If you knew Richard, you know he was a great storyteller, and he had a story for everything down to the slightest detail. His mission in life was to make everyone smile, he had an amazing spirit and soul that brought joy to others. Richard worked for Boykin Technologies for many years, traveling extensively, which gave him the opportunity to meet many interesting people, even celebrities; which he had a story to tell you about that too. After the company moved to the east coast, he moved back to Southern Illinois to be closer to his family.

     After moving back to Southern Illinois, he worked for his sister and brother-in-law as the manager of Agrilife Dixie Chopper. He was a skilled small machine mechanic, he knew how to make engines run, and run fast. He was instrumental in starting the cart racetrack that was west of Jonesboro for several years. Richard built a racetrack in his back yard to teach young aspiring cart drivers the skills needed to race and work on their equipment. He wanted to share his knowledge and passion with others and truly enjoyed doing so. Richard touched the lives of so many people he met, it is with certainty he will be deeply missed. The Gaddis family would like to give a special thank you to all the staff at the SIH Cancer Center and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their outstanding care and compassion.

     Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Jason Forby, Kenny Verble and Gorden Montgomery officiating. Interment will be in Big Creek Cemetery. Friends may call after 11:00 a.m. and until the service hour at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions are preferred to SIH Cancer Center. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Gene Gaddis, please visit our floral store.