Richard Paul Brinkley, age 77, formerly of Macon, GA passed away peacefully on July 15, 2017 at Bay Pines VA Medical Center, St. Petersburg, FL while under Hospice care. He as born on October 7, 1939 to William E. and Ruth (Cole) Brinkley in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Besides his parents, Dick was preceded in death by brother David E (Daryl) Brinkley of Roswell, GA. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lola (Irwin) Brinkley; son Michael Chad (Kristain) Brinkley and granddaughter Addison Blair Brinkley all of Leander, TX.
Raised outside Asheville, NC, Dick had hiked many miles of the Appalachian Trail during his teen years with the local “Euell Gibbons,” learning much about wildlife and nature. He did his “4+2” in the USAF traveling to various countries as a flight mechanic, and lived in Michigan and Florida before moving to Georgia in 1975. In 2014, he and his wife Dodie retired to her family home in Largo, FL. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed deer hunting, camping and just communing with nature. Always ready with a handshake and a smile, Dick could be counted on in any situation. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.
A private ceremony will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (curealz.org).
My heart is broken…Dick was such a good friend to Danny and me…I’ll bet they were happy to be reunited. My prayers,hugs,and love are with the family…God bless you!
Farewell to an old hunting buddy. There was never a dull moment when he was around.
I still remember the excitement I felt as a boy when my late-mother would get off the phone after having spoken with my Aunt Dodie to announce, “Dodie and Dick are coming for the holidays!” My brother, Kenny, and I knew that we would have a great time with them. One time they visited is still a vivid memory: Uncle Dick picked us up from school in his new Jeep CJ-5 and took us ‘mudding’ at the Seminole Reservoir. Coming home, the Jeep (and us) were covered in mud. Seeing the look on my mom’s face, I thought Uncle Dick would surely be in trouble this time. But, as usual, all he had to do was to slowly produce his wry smile and all was forgiven in laughter!
He always made our experiences memorable to me because they usually involved being outside (and getting dirty), and creating an opportunity for the discovery of something new. He showed us wild turkeys (not just the drink) at his hunting club in GA; stuck his hand in the beehive at the base of a tree to extract honey; shared the harvest of his hunts; allowed Kenny and me to make a slip-and-slide on the side of his house by watering the GA clay and going for it (which produced orange underwear—much to my late-mother’s chagrin); and was always warm, welcoming, and excited to see us. Laughter and good times from start to finish…every time I, or anybody else, was around Uncle Dick.
Now, as I write this, I truly realize what a great, positive uncle I had the pleasure of knowing. Although I miss him, I am glad he is in Eternal Peace. Lord knows Uncle Dick needs the rest because he was pretty busy having a good time for a long time!