Richard Earl Caines

September 21, 1942 - December 20, 2021

Richard Earl Caines, age 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 20, 2021. He was born on September 21, 1942 in Florence, South Carolina joining the large Butler family on the farm as a small child. Richard grew up in Charleston, SC and at 11 got his first job at the Dairy Queen for 50 cents a week. At age 17, Richard joined the Air Force and became a fireman for the service; during that time he was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. It was there, on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Jerrilyn Noll. They recently celebrated 57 years of marriage. After his service, he attended Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Fire Protection Engineering. Following that, he received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Florida in 1975. He designed commercial sprinkler systems and ended his career in insurance and risk management. His career took him all over the world and he lived in Colorado, Idaho, California, Nebraska, Texas, and finally retired as the VP of Risk Management at TECO Energy in Tampa, FL. After retirement, Richard helped plant Bridgeway Church, starting with a prayer meeting in his living room in Plant City, FL. As the church grew, Richard took on the financial management and was instrumental in building the church site in Wesley Chapel. He oversaw the additional expansion of the church and volunteered over the years in almost every area, from small group leader, office administrator, usher, praise and worship team, to fixing anything that was broken. His legacy of hard work and serving others will live on in the lives he touched at the church and beyond. In addition to serving at the church, his passion was golf, and he joyed in telling others that he had SIX holes in one over his golfing career. He also used retirement to write two mystery books, The Jaded Parsonage, and Jaded Justice; along with a book of creative poetry. He enjoyed his long time friends, especially hanging out at Sand Key Beach and playing cards. More than anything, his family meant the world to him. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Jerrilyn Caines, and daughters Susanne Bolt (Richard) and grandchildren, Ashley (12) and Seth (10), and daughter Carolee Eason (Joel) and grandchildren, Joel Christopher “Jace” (21), Brooke (19), Cassidy (19), and Elise (17). Also survived by his siblings, Katherine Melton (and best friend Robert who married Katherine), Howell “Eldridge” Caines (Marie), and June Overton (Dwight “Ovie”), favorite cousin, Jimmie Butler, along with numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Services for Richard will be held at Bridgeway Church on Monday, December 27th. A viewing will begin at 9:30, followed by the service at 10:00am. Burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens in Thonotosassa. Sunset Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, Thonotosassa, FL is in charge of arrangements. Please share memories and condolences at www.sunsetmemorygardens.com