Richard Franklin Cargile, age 88, of Ocilla died Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Pruitt Health in Ocilla.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Arbor Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. The family will receive friends starting at 1:00 pm in the sanctuary. Interment will follow at Ocilla City Cemetery.
Mr. Cargile was born November 15, 1932, in Ocilla, Georgia. He graduated from Ocilla High School, Class of 1949, and then furthered his education at South Georgia College, Mercer University, and the University of Georgia.
He served four years in the United States Army Security Agency during the Korean War, where he was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
Richard was Operations Manager and News Director for the radio station, WBHB in Fitzgerald for 12 years. In 1974, he began his career at Ben Hill-Irwin Technical College (now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College) and later retired from his career as Vice President for Student Services. He was also a Certified E.M.T. and worked with the Irwin County Emergency Medical Services on a part-time basis for 38 years.
Mr. Cargile was an upstanding Christian man. He was known and loved by many and never met a stranger. He served in many capacities in the Ocilla/Irwin County community. He was the charter president of the Irwin County Jaycees, a member & former president of the Ocilla Rotary Club, former chairman of the Ocilla-Irwin County Chamber of Commerce, former Ocilla City Councilman, former Judge of the Recorder’s Court of Ocilla, and a former Justice of the Peace. He was a proud life-long Republican.
He joined Ocilla Baptist Church as a child. He and his wife of 51 years, Blondean “Dean” Bullington Cargile, were married there. He served as a Deacon and enjoyed singing in the choir and in quartets. He was also the Director of Discipleship Ministries of the Ben Hill-Irwin Baptist Association, as well as serving as a Chaplain for the Georgia Baptist Convention in Disaster Relief Ministries.
In 2005, the Cargiles moved their church membership to Arbor Baptist Church in Fitzgerald. Richard was active in the outreach and visitation ministry, the Men’s Ministry, and in Sunday School. He loved his church family dearly.
Richard loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren very much. He enjoyed traveling with them, watching them play sports & piano, playing checkers and dominos with them, and teaching them how to fish.
Mr. Cargile is survived by his children and their spouses: Andrew (Andy) & Amy Cargile of Brunswick and Daniel & Melinda Cargile Fowler of Tifton; seven grandchildren: Ryan Ross, Davis Ross and Tyler Ross, Emma Cargile, Andrew Cargile, Samuel Cargile and Chloe Cargile; three sisters, Virginia “Jenny” Miles and Brenda Paul of Fitzgerald and Linda Griner of Perry; special cousins and their spouses, Don & Barbara Cargile Rains of Tallahassee, Don & Susan Cargile of Athens, and Bob and Judy Cargile of Sequoia, WA. He is preceded in death by his wife, Blondean “Dean” Bullington Cargile; his mother, Thelma Cargile; his father, Hollis Morgan; and three brothers: William “Buster” Morgan, James “Buddy” Morgan and Preston “Bud” Morgan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arbor Baptist Church, 1137 N. Merrimac Drive Extension, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.