Rev. Richard Wayne Rash

Rev. Richard Wayne Rash, 86, of Lakeland Drive, Bluefield, WV, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Nelson’s Homecare in Princeton.

Born on December 10, 1932 in Bluefield, he was a son of the late Thurman J. and Laura Bell Dooley Rash. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, serving in the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Airport Road First Church of God. He was a retired pastor and minister of music and worked for all of his life in the church. For more than 37 years, he served as pastor, youth leader, and minister of music in Indiana, Illinois, California, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. He made tapes, recorded and sang in the Rash Trio for over 20 years. He served on the WV Church of God Boards and the Craigsville Camp Meeting Board. He love to sing and reach for the Lost for the Lord.

He married Thelma L. Rash in 1957 and they celebrated their 61^st wedding anniversary in August of 2018.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy N. Nelson; and his brothers, Jackie Rash, Cecil Ray Rash, and a son, David W. Rash.

Left to cherish his memory of more than 61 years are his wife, Thelma L. DesJardines Rash of the home; daughter, Tamara Kaye Yarger of Princeton; grandchildren, Danielle Shaver, Stephen Shaver, Jared Yarger, Tiffany Yarger and Ariel (Rash) Nash; 3 great grandchildren, Jayden Daniels, Melody Rash, and Anakin Nash.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 7:00PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Rev. Dana Hambrick and Rev. Charles Shrewsbury officiating.

Friends may call on Friday from 5:00-7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Cryptside services will be conducted on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Bluewell where military honors will be performed by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 9:30AM.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Rash family.