Richard Peardon

Richard “Ricky” Keith Peardon

It is with great sadness that the Peardon family announces a bright star was extinguished from this world on July 15, 2023 when Richard Keith “Ricky” Peardon passed away.  He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Haletown, TN in his favorite chair, fondly known as the Recliner of Happiness, after a long battle with heart disease.

Ricky was born on August 26, 1958.  He grew up in a loving home with his parents and siblings in Ladd’s Switch, TN.  Ricky graduated from Marion County High School in 1976 and went on to a long, rewarding career in Ironworking.  He was a member of Ironworker Union Local 704 in Chattanooga for over 35 years.

Ricky was a nationally touring stand-up comic known as Cousin Ricky who played clubs and venues around the country. He got his start in 1998 at his local club in Chattanooga, The Comedy Catch. He was known for his stories about small town living, quirky family, haunted trailers, and poor decision-making involving fire and gasoline. His unique sense of humor garnered him comedic friends and fans from across the nation. He was selected for several CMT television shows and performed as part of the comedy duo “Hicks gone Wild” with his buddy Big Ed Caylor.

He loved riding his Harleys, and his oldest and most treasured belonging was a 1974 FXE Super Glide. Ricky enjoyed sports, music, and being with family and friends, especially the Thirsty Thursday crew. He and Nickie traveled extensively in the western states and national parks since his quadruple bypass in 2019.

Ricky was an Episcopalian and studied the Bible extensively. He was constantly reading a book or magazine and was always planning the “next trip out west” on the laptop and his paper atlas. Many people do not know that Ricky was an award-winning metal sculptor with many pieces being shown in nationally juried art shows and exhibited at such prestigious venues as The Parthenon in Nashville.

Ricky married the love of his life, Nickie, in 1995 on a sunny November Saturday when the University of Tennessee Volunteer football team was not playing. Ricky would always say at the beginning of the first UT football game how glad he was to have lived to see another football season. He died with his Football Time in Tennessee magazine by his side. Ricky loved his family ferociously and everyone needs a dear friend like Ricky.

Ricky was preceded in death by his parents Marion Carl Peardon and Thelma Harris Peardon, sister Brenda Peardon, daughter Tamara Morris, son-in-law Tim Kelly, and brother-in-law Johnny Garrison.

He is survived by his wife Nickie Garner Peardon, daughters Keri Peardon, Tiara Stovall (Matt Rollins), son Kris Morris (Laura Anderson), brother MC (Sherry) Peardon, sister Linda Garrison, grandchildren, Wylie Morris, Rowdy Morris, Tori Henley, Bryson Rollins, and honorary grandchildren Ashton and Makayla Poe. Plus, nephews Greg (Terri) Peardon, Jeff (Stacie) Peardon, Leslie (Bobby) McLeroy, and a host of other relatives including cousins (of course), and beloved friends.

Another joy in life for Ricky was animal rescue.  He and Nickie rescued many homeless animals over the years and fostered others until a loving home was found.  Ricky had a special relationship with his dog Gracie, aka Ninja Dog.  She was his co-pilot on all their across-the-country excursions and was like his little shadow wherever he went, places like dinosaur tracks in Utah and snow-covered mountains in Colorado in May of this year. He also adored their cat, Lily, a rescue, who brought joy and love to their home.  He was proceeded in death by many other beloved fur family members including Star the Dog, Missy the Dog, and Little Sis Dog. Plus, the infamous Puss McKeon. When talking about the pets he would often ask, “Who rescued who?”

Additionally, Ricky was a proud Mason and member of the Templar Brotherhood Motorcycle Cub.

In lieu of flowers the family asks to please make donations to the Masonic Widows and Orphans Fund, 100 7th Ave N Suite1, Nashville, TN 37203, or an area animal rescue group of your choice.

A Masonic service will be Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 4:00 pm CST at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper, Tennessee.

Funeral services are Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm CST at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper, Tennessee with Pastor Roger Webb officiating. Big Ed Caylor will give the Eulogy.

The family will have a private scattering of the ashes at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee 37347, 423-942-9500.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tatefh.com.

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