Richard Denton

Paducah, Ky, Richard "Dickie" Denton, age 83, passed away peacefully into his heavenly home on January 16, 2025. He was born on February 21, 1941, to his late parents, Austin and Catherine Cook Denton.

Richard was born and raised in Paducah, Ky where he attended Margaret Hank Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was a 1959 graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School. While in high school he received the MVP award for the basketball and baseball teams. After graduation he attended Bethel college where he played basketball and baseball and obtained his degree in 1964. After completing college, he answered the call into ministry. In 1964 he was ordained into the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as a pastor.

In 1969 he began the process to move his ordination into the United Methodist Church and he received his first placement at Shiloh-New Chapel- Salem where he was later ordained in 1970. In 1971 he was moved to Broadway United Methodist Church in Paducah where he would become the Associate Pastor for 2 years. In 1973 he began his journey in lead pastoring at Hampton Memorial and Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church. He was then moved throughout the years to Church Grove United Methodist Church (1976), Fulton-Cayce Cooperative Ministry (1977), New Liberty United Methodist Church in Kevil (1978), St. Luke's Aldersgate (1981), Bruceton First (1984), Newbern Church ( 1985), Alamo First (1989), Martins Chapel-Good Shepherd (1992), Trinity-Antioch United Methodist Church (1995), Clinton-Hickman County Parish (1998), St. Stephen (2001), and Antioch United Methodist Church in Obion County (2004) where he retired in 2005.

While pastoring he also obtained his master's degree from Memphis Theological. He spent many years providing for his congregations and communities wherever he was placed. Working for the Lord was not a job he took lightly, and he took the opportunity to teach and preach the gospel even up until his last few months of life. Richard was a man of many achievements in life. He received an award as a Duke of Paducah and an award from the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel. His most highly cherished award was being a father and grandfather. Family was everything to Richard and he made sure everyone he encountered knew that. Richard will also be remembered as an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer, and a dedicated fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and UK basketball.

Richard is survived by one daughter, Pam Diebold (Barry) of West Paducah; one sister, Carolyn Mayo of Paducah; one sister-in-law, Mary Catherine Armstrong; one daughter-in-law, Melissa Denton of Iowa; five grandchildren, Andrew, Steven, Cady, Aaron and Nick; four great-grandchildren, Aili, Braylen, Madeline and Millie; one nephew, Stan Armstrong; two nieces, Karen Armstrong and LeighAnn Green; and special friend, Shirley Osborne.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Viola Stafford Denton, his parents, one son, Richard Leon Denton and two brother-in-laws, Tom Mayo and Don Armstrong.

Visitation Services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Morrow Funeral Chapel in LaCenter, from 11:00 a.m. until funeral time.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Morrow Funeral Chapel in LaCenter at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Garrett, Rev. Stan Waldon, Rev. Terry English and Rev. Ben Boone officiating.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may take place in the form of donations to Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, c/o Sally Boulton, PO Box 116, LaCenter, KY 42056, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Trinity United Methodist Church, 6125 Hwy 62, Paducah, KY 42001.