Neel Rich

Nolan Neel Rich passed away peacefully at his home on June 18, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1933, in Emporia, Virginia. When he was a child, his family moved to Bluefield, Virginia, where they lived with his maternal grandparents. Neel and his brother, Ervin, were raised on the family farm, learning a lot about farming which impacted Neel’s vocation.

Neel graduated from Graham High School in Bluefield, VA, attended Bluefield College (a junior college at the time), and transferred to Virginia Tech where he graduated in 1954 with B.S. degree in Agriculture. He met his soon to be wife, Iris Sykes, at Bluefield College. They were married in November 1954.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 through 1959, serving in the First Howitzer Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, Third Infantry Division at Fort Benning, GA, and Bamburg, Germany. (He and Elvis were serving in Germany at the same time. He always had a chuckle about that.)

After returning from the army, he began his long career at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Services, a part of the Extension Division of Virginia Tech. Over his 31-year career with the Extension Service, he worked in Russell, Scott, and Pulaski counties as a county agent and then returned to Virginia Tech where he received a M.S. degree in Adult Education in 1968. He also served as Program Leader for 4-H for the Southwest District, based out of Abingdon, for the rest of his career. He retired in 1990 as an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech through the Extension Division.

Neel was part of a family business, Richwood Properties, that ran Richwood Golf Course in Bluefield, VA, for many years. He was also very involved in various service projects such as Emory Service Project, Elderhostel programs, Rotary Club of Abingdon (where he was a member for over 50 years), American Chestnut Foundation, Friends of Smyth Chapel, and various other volunteer and church organizations. He was a lifelong Methodist and was a member of the Emory United Methodist Church for 55 years.

He loved playing cards with the Hearty Men Group, and enjoyed food and fellowship with friends at GEM (a monthly supper and friend group) that meets at Smyth Chapel. Always seeking to grow spiritually, he started and hosted a small Bible study group called SPARQ (Seeking People Asking Relevant Questions) that met at his home for many years. At 88 years of age, Neel began his self-published book career—“Stump Daddy Stories” and “The Book of Eucalyptus.” These books are a treasure to his family.

Neel was a lifelong learner. He loved to play golf, read, visit, and explore new places. He knew no strangers. Neel could always be counted on to volunteer to help, crack a joke, and offer advice.

Neel was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Iris Sykes Rich; his brother Ervin Rich of Bluefield, VA; and his parents M.E. (Mark E) and Martha Lou Neel Rich.

He is survived by three daughters, Ann Ledgerwood (David) of Emory, VA, Cathy Denham (Scott) of Davidson, NC, and Carol Raedy (Pat) of Emory, VA; four grandchildren, Mark Vaught of Glade Spring, VA, John Vaught of Knoxville, TN, Evelyn Denham (Dan Antoszyk) of Berlin, Germany, and Beatrice Denham (James Burnworth) of Albuquerque, NM; and two great-grandchildren, Riley Hart of Honaker, VA, and Zora Antoszyk of Berlin, Germany.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Emory United Methodist Church on the E&H Campus with Rev. Sharon Wright officiating. A reception for friends and family will follow in the fellowship hall. A private family graveside service will be held in the Holston Conference Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark Vaught, John Vaught, David Ledgerwood, Scott Denham, Pat Raedy, Bill Rich, Macon Rich and honorary pallbearer, Rob Sykes

The service may be viewed by visiting Emory United Methodist Church on Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the M.E. Rich and Martha N. Rich Scholarship Fund at Emory & Henry University or to the Emory United Methodist Church. Special thanks to Caris Hospice.

The family of Nolan Neel Rich is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700.