A true pioneer of local auto racing passed away Saturday. Joseph W. “Joe” Richey, 85, was surrounded by his loving family.
Joe Richey is a member of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and was a familiar sight around area tracks fielding race cars including his families #87 carried on by his son Rex in the 80's, 90's and beyond.
He was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga, North Georgia area and was of the Baptist faith. Mr.
Richey was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a dairy farmer, and was owner of Richey Racing for many years.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Rex and Mattie Richey; two brothers, Raymond and Charlie Richey; three sisters, Dot Sertel, Mildred DeMars and Sue Harrison.
Survivors are his loving wife of 59 years, Austina Richey; son, Rex Richey, Knoxville; daughter, Lucy Richey Holley, Ringgold; brother, Bobby Richey, Ooltewah; sisters, Wilma Dietzen, Chattanooga, and Betty Smith, Chattanooga; grandchildren, Fiona (Stan) Barfield, Shayne Holley, Riley Richey, and Macy Richey; great-grandchildren, Dylan Caroline and Liam Barfield; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services honoring and celebrating the life of Joe Richey will be 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. John Bevins officiating. Interment will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Skinner, Billy Fairbanks, Raymond Hood, Danny Turner, Dewayne Aldridge, and Kent Hicks.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, at Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.