Richard Jerome Compton

July 6, 1954 - November 20, 2016

Richard Jerome Compton passed on November 20, 2016, his beloved wife Marie by his side in Hemet Valley Hospital, Hemet, California.

Richard, known affectionately as Jerry, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 6, 1954.  In his younger years he lived in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Pinson, Alabama.  He attended high school in Pinson, Alabama.  He served in the Army Infantry Division.  Upon his honorable discharged, he attended Bay Junior College in Palm Bay, Florida.

Jerry became involved in the family business, Compton Concrete and Steel, doing concrete and steel high rise construction. In the mid-seventies, he changed careers and became a leading wholesaler-importer serving 7 southern states.

Jerry was an astute business man who avidly studied current and market trends.  He expanded his business endeavors to include land sales and vacation travel.  He successfully operated Vacation Travel Clubs in major cities throughout the southeastern United States.

Jerry had a great love of life and never met a stranger.  He was loved and respected by many throughout the United States.  He had deep faith and never failed to thank the Lord for his many blessings.  He was a member of United Methodist Church, Pinson, Alabama.  He and Marie shared a deep love - they were always together and created many enduring memories.  She was the light of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard H. Compton and Ernestine Ragsdale Compton, Nixa, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Compton, Nashville, Tennessee; brothers, Robert (Cheryl) Compton, Pinson, Alabama; Lindy Compton (Diane), Nixa, Missouri and Randall Compton (Suzanne), Washington, D.C.

Also surviving are his children, Tammy Renee Compton, Tampa Florida; Michelle Compton Bush (B.J.), Prattville, Alabama; Cynthia Whitman (Chuck), Millbrook, Alabama; Clif Compton (Brittany), Millbrook, Alabama; six grandchildren.  Extended family Lewis Moore (Gail), Lebanon, Tennessee; Connie Bressings, Coweta, Oklahoma.

Funeral arrangements are beings handled by Inland Memorial Harford Chapel, Hemet, California.  A celebration of life will be held in Lebanon, Tennessee.  Private interment will be in Cherokee, N.C.