Richard's Obituary
Richard (Rick) Thomas Wisdom passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2013 in DeRidder, Louisiana. Rick was born May 30, 1943, in Baton Rouge, to Margaret and Frank Wisdom.
Rick graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southeastern Louisiana University and his MBA from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. Rick married Mary Alice Fogleman in 1964.
Rick started his career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) in St. Louis, MO in 1971. He became a contracting officer for the Corps, working in Vicksburg, MS; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Karlsruhe and Frankfurt Germany. He served as the Director of Contracting for the Corps of Engineers European Division in Frankfurt, Germany and retired from 31 years of civil service as Director of Contracting for Ft. Polk, LA.
Over the past seven years, he had returned to the Corps for contracting work in the Hurricane Protection Office, working out of Memphis and New Orleans. Rick was very proud to be a part of the post-hurricane efforts in his home state of Louisiana.
He had a passion for history, traveling, reading, and most of all, his family. He was a loving husband and amazing father, uncle, in-law and friend.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Margaret (Madge) and Frank Wisdom; brother, Charles Wisdom; sister, Margaret Anderson; son-in-law, Phillip Davis; and nephew, Robert Anderson.
Rick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Alice Fogleman Wisdom of DeRidder, LA; three daughters, Amy Wisdom Ainsworth and (Charlie) of Jackson, MS, Nancy Wisdom of Upland, CA, and Virginia Wisdom Davis of Jackson, MS; and nieces, nephews and cousins throughout LA and TX.
Visitation will be Friday, 5-8 pm at Labby Funeral Home in DeRidder, and Saturday 1-2 PM at the First United Methodist Church of DeRidder with memorial services following at 2PM.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 11 AM at Green Oaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the First Methodist Church of DeRidder Building Fund or the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home.
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