Richard "Dale" Medford

Waynesville, Richard Dale Medford, age 88, passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022, surrounded by family at Haywood Lodge.

A native of Haywood, he was the son of the late James Boone and Lucille Leatherwood Medford.  In addition to his parents, Dale was preceded in death by a son, Ricky Medford.  Dale spent his 42-year career in the Research and Development Lab at Dayco Southern.  He holds several patents for his inventions.  He had a passion for golf, fishing, buck dancing, making music, playing cards, and Braves baseball.  He was well known in the Ratcliff Cove community for raising and sharing a big garden.  He had a dry wit and keen sense of humor.  In his retirement years, he enjoyed sitting in his front porch swing, visiting with neighbors, and watching wildlife.  He was a lifetime member of Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist church.

Dale is survived by his wife of 58 years, "Boots" Medford; three daughters, Mary Rose Plott, Lynn Medford, Penny Wells, all of Waynesville; one son, Glenn Medford, and his wife, Lienne, of Duncan, South Carolina; four grandchildren, Nathan Grant, Lisa Medford, Evan Wells, and Elliott Wells; sister, Nancy Hyatt, of Waynesville and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville with Reverend Ben Shaeffer officiating.  Burial will take place following the service at Ratcliff Cove Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Nathan Grant, Evan Wells, Elliott Wells, Danny Hyatt, Keith Hyatt, and Stanley Arrington; four honorary pallbearers, Robert Arrington, Woody Fowler, Gordon Buchanan, and Harvey Lance.