Obituary of Richard E. Fye

FYE - Richard E., Jr., 63, of Nanty Glo, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 20 after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born June 8, 1955, in Colver. He was preceded in death by his mother Yvonne & sister Deanna (Dede) Hobba. He will be greatly missed by his father Richard E. Fye, Sr.; children Chrissy (Lance) Harshbarger and Sara (Terick) Baxter; grandchildren Layla & Eva Harshbarger and Mya Baxter; sisters Sherry (Jay) Mardis, Maggie (Bob) Johnson; Caralyn “Becky” Keen; brother-in-law Bob Hobba; nieces and nephews; and special friend Mary Ann Litzinger. Rich - or Rick, to many friends - was known for his hard work, musical talent, and love of Penguins hockey. A good day involved dirt under his nails & motor oil on his hands. A farrier for 44 years, Rich cared for friends’ horses, crafted horseshoe art, served on the Cambria Co. Livestock Committee and as a Blacklick Valley 4-H leader, and showed award-winning rabbits at the county fair. He was deeply involved with Blacklick Valley High School as a long-time member of the school board (for which he received a Distinguished Service Award) and as a volunteer musician with the drama club. Rich had a passion for gospel & Christian music, including praising God through the gift of guitar, singing in Guiding Star with friend Linda Smeed, and entertaining as DJ Iron Man. Most of all, he loved Jesus, his daughters, and his granddaughters. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Nanty Glo. Funeral service will be held at Laurel Mt. Bible Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Pastor Geno Bartoletti, officiating. Donations in Rich’s memory may be made to Windber Hospice, whom the family would like to thank for their exceptional care.