George Richey’s Mysterious Passing
Nashville producer, songwriter, publisher, manager and record executive George Richey died more than three weeks ago, but the news was kept private for unknown reasons.
WSMV news and The Tennessean have confirmed that Richey died on July 31. The station stated that, at his request, he was buried without a public memorial or publicity. Posts on his Facebook page continued to appear after his death, causing some confusion and adding to the mystery.
To younger Nashvillians, Richey was best known as the fifth, final and longest lasting husband of Hall of Fame superstar Tammy Wynette. But during his long Nashville career, he had several other notable roles.
Born George Richardson on Nov. 30, 1935, he is a native of Promise Land, Arkansas. A gifted pianist and songwriter, Richey arrived in Nashville in the 1950s. His keyboard talent led to recording session work with Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, Ernest Tubb, Tommy James, Kenny Rogers, Ringo Starr and many others.
George Richey first achieved prominence as a songwriter with his co-written “I’ll Share My World With You” for George Jones in 1969, followed by “A Woman Lives For Love” for Wanda Jackson, “Heavenly Sunshine” for Ferlin Husky and “Then He Touched Me” for Jean Shepard, all in 1970. Huskey followed up with Richey’s co-penned “Your Sweet Love Lifted Me” later that same year. Richey served brief executive stints with the early Nashville offices of the Capitol and United Artists labels, but thereafter concentrated on record production and songwriting.
He produced Jackson, Johnny Horton, Sonny James, Dick Curless, Billie Jo Spears, The Oak Ridge Boys, Merle Haggard, Claude King and several others. His 1970s composing successes included “Keep Me in Mind” (Lynn Anderson, 1973), “Good News” (Jody Miller, 1973), “Soul Song” (Joe Stampley, 1973), “You’ve Got Me,” (Connie Smith, 1973), “I’m Still Loving You” (Joe Stampley, 1974), “Take Me Home to Somewhere” (Joe Stampley, 1974) and “Every Word I Write” (Dottie West, 1977).
Richey co-wrote the George Jones classics “The Grand Tour” (1974) and “A Picture of Me (Without You)” (1972). He is even more strongly associated with the Wynette standards “Til I Can Make It On My Own” (1976) and “You and Me” (1976). He also co-wrote the Jones-Wynette duets “Southern California” (1977) and “We Loved it Away” (1974). In addition, Richey’s tunes were sung by Tanya Tucker, Claude King, Barbara Mandrell and other artists during the 1970s. Brother Paul Richey was also a Nashville songwriter of note.
After marrying Wynette in 1978, George Richey largely set aside his keyboard and composing work to manage her career. She died on April 6, 1998.
George Richey was 74 years old. He had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is survived by his fourth wife, Sheila Slaughter Richey, whom he married in 2001. They have one daughter, Tatum. His first marriage, 1953-1969, was to the former Dorothy Ann Tippit. He is survived by his two children from that union, son Kelly and daughter Dierdre. His 1974-78 marriage to Sheila Hall produced no children.
George Richey is reportedly buried near Tammy Wynette in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park. The cemetery first confirmed his passing to MusicRow on Monday.
Read MusicRow’s first report of Richey’s passing.
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PLEASE, OH PLEASE, leave this man alone, already. The media just can’t let famous people die without trying to make it “mysterious” or “suspicious” !!
Perhaps it wasn’t reported, because he, like so many of us are SICK and TIRED of the media splash that publications like this are determined to make. It was his final wishes…LEAVE HIM ALONE….Is this how YOU would like to be remembered?
I am one of the FaceBook follower’s of George Richey and can tell you that there is no mystery or confusion regarding Mr Richeys passing. On his facebook page he told all of us why he wanted his passing to be private, he, even on his death bed was more concerned for the grief that his young daughter and wife would be going through, and he did not want to add to the burden. What an amazing man. He fought this illness to the end, and now is at peace, the same thing he wanted for his family. If you have time, go read his facebook farewell page, it is truly moving.
There was nothing mysterious about his death. Anyone that knew him new he was ill. The “unknown” reason it was kept quiet was because that was Richey’s request. Nothing mysterious about it to the people that knew him!!!
Calling the events surrounding Richey’s passing is hardly a “mystery”. He was very revealing about his condition and his wishes. And all of this is obvious to anyone who would bother to check his FB past posts. I think it is in poor taste to try to sensationalize his passing with such a suggestion.
please think of his wife and little daugther mr richey is gone let him rest in peace and leave his family true he was famous but even famous people have hearts too a little child has lost her daddy
It was only mysterious to you… His passing was expected and he had his dying wishes fulfilled by his family, friends and his true fans…it’s one’s right still..isn’t it?? GOD Bless George, and his family at this time..may HE comfort them in these days of mourning and protect them from negative and unhappy souls looking for company…Amen!