Richard Carroll “Rick” Poppell Sr., 66, beloved husband to Evelyn, father to Amy, Richard Jr., and Allison; grandfather to Elizabeth, Banyan, and Rowan, died on Jan. 12, 2015, at his home in Port Haywood, Va., after a 12- year journey with prostate cancer. 

Rick was born in Albany, Ga., on Dec. 3, 1948, to Grant and Thelma Poppell. His love of travel and adventure was born early as the family followed his father who served in the U.S. Air Force. As a boy he lived in Sculthorpe, England, Clovis, N.M., and Anchorage, Alaska. As an adult, his adventurous spirit took him to live and work in Vicenza, Italy, Heidelberg, Germany, and Kuwait.

Rick’s working life was spent in service to soldiers on the frontline through the Department of Army Logistics and later CALIBRE System as a Supply Systems Analyst. Rick’s latter years were spent in Mathews County pursuing his passions of fishing, boating, and loving his grandchildren.

Rick brought humor, life, a positive attitude, and laughter to all who loved him. He was a tender-hearted, kind, and honorable man of strong Christian faith, with an amazing appreciation for the joy that can be found in living.

A time of visitation at 2 p.m. will precede a Celebration of Life service at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at Bethel United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dr. Ralph Satter and the Rev. Dr. Richard Croxton will officiate. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109 (http://www.mathewsvrs.org/) or The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675 (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point.