Earl Richard Riecke, Jr.
Earl Richard Riecke, Jr. died on March 14, 2015 at 3:16 a.m., after a brief illness of staph infection and spinal meningitis in a local hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he resided for the past 22 years with his beloved wife of 45 years, Patricia (Pat Wallace) Riecke, both natives of New Orleans, LA.
Earl was cherished by his daughters, Danielle Riecke of Slidell, LA and Erin Riecke of East Ridge. Earl was idolized by his granddaughter, Jordan Levy of Slidell, and his heavenly angel here on earth, grandson, Cody Riecke, who has Down Syndrome, also of Slidell.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lucille Rufin Riecke of New Orleans; mother-in-law, Helen Cunliffe Wallace; and his brother-in-law, Edward T. Wallace, Sr. of Jacksonville, FL.
Mr. Riecke was a graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans and attended LSU where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta. Earl was an eight-year veteran of the United States Navy and was a staunch supporter of the Vietnam Wounded Warrior Project.
Earl was a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Chattanooga where he served as chairman of the finance board, was an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, and an 11 a.m. mass usher.
He was a member of the Holy Family Knights of Columbus Council 6099 where he served and chaired on many committees, including treasurer, for many years. Earl was a charter member of the Holy Family Council 6099 of the 4th degree.
He was a member of the American Legion William Blair Post 095 in Chattanooga. Before relocating to Chattanooga he was a charter member of Knights of Columbus 9973 and 4th degree member of Father Seelos Assembly in Slidell, LA.
Earl retired from CBS Magazines and TV Guide as regional marketing director. Earl volunteered at Memorial Hospital and at the Atrium Surgery Center for five years in Chattanooga. He then became a greeter at Sam’s Warehouse for 10 years where he soon became one of the best, friendliest and most popular because of his outgoing personality and love for the people.
Earl’s survivors include his brothers, Raymond (Peggy) R. Riecke; Edward (K. K.) L. Riecke; Kent (Becky) Riecke; Donald (Rhonda) A. Riecke; Michael J. Riecke: and sisters, Lucille Mary (Mary Lu) Riecke-Adams; Ann (Tony) Riecke Volz; Elizabeth “Betty” (Jean) Riecke Champagne; and sister-in-law, Sally Lowe Wallace.
The wake will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 7615 Lee Highway from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, March 20, with the recitation of the Rosary starting at 5 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 7111 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421, with Father Manuel Perez and other local priests and deacons officiating. A reception will follow in the Parish Life Center.
Additional services will be held Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. CST at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Slidell, LA. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Southeast Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery in Slidell, on Monday, March 30, at 9 a.m. CST.
The family requests that everyone honor Earl by wearing the colors of his beloved Saints and LSU.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen’s Youth Ministry World Youth Day in Poland @ 7111 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421; or Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans, Team Codycups, P. O. Box 23453, New Orleans, LA 70183/3453.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.