Obituary of Rev. Thomas D. Rich

Rev. Thomas D. Rich – Columbia – A Celebration of Life service of the life of Reverend Thomas D. Rich, 89, of Columbia, will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Burial, with US Air Force honors will follow the service in Greenlawn Memorial Park Serenity Gardens on Windwan Drive in Columbia. The family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209.

Reverend Thomas Rich passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023. Born in Ivy Hill, NC, he was a son of the late Clifford Rich and Wilma Caldwell Rich. He served his country in the US Air Force, and was stationed in London, England. Thomas was a graduate of and was ordained by Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, OK, where he served as the State Director of the Rhema Ministerial Association for 15 years. He was the founding Pastor of Word of Faith Christian Center in Columbia, SC, and retired after 40 years of faithful service. He was also a member of the Ministerial Association of Columbia, SC.

Thomas enjoyed taking Retreat trips to the beach, and looked forward to annual Homecoming Week at Rhema Bible College in Oklahoma, as well as Regional retreats in Gatlinburg, TN. He was dedicated not only to his family, but also his church family, and his world-wide Missionary family.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Susan Rich; children, daughter, Lisa Golden (Michael) of Longs, SC, son, Mike Rich (Anna) of Columbia, daughter, Connie Rich of Elgin, son, Stephen Rich (Heather) of Charlotte, NC, sons, Silas Lewis (Shelley) of Greenville, SC, Joshua Lewis of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Caleb Lewis (Natalie) of Greenville, SC, daughter, Leah Lewis of Greenville, SC; grandchildren, Eric Umbarger (Marie), Tommy Golden, Victoria Williams, Catherine Rich, Matthew Rich, Lobben Rich, Haisley Lewis, Ford Lewis, Jane Ryan Lewis, Eli Lewis; great granddaughter, Letty Umbarger; sisters, Grace McGaha, Sallie Clark, Alice Thatcher (Les); brother, Dwight Rich. Thomas is also survived by his loving dog, Roxy “Gracy”. In addition to his parents, Thomas was predeceased by his brother, Glen Rich, sister-in-law, Billie Rich; brothers-in-law, Jim McGaha, Otis Clark.  

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the William Bryan Jennings Dorn VA Medical Center, and the staff of National Health Care on Parklane Road, and Prisma Health Richland Medical Center for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Word of Faith Christian Center (for Missions), 77 Ridge Lake Drive, Columbia, SC, 29209.