Obituary for Richard Earl Birdwell
Richard Earl Birdwell, 69, of Cookeville, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday,
April 19, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.
Richard was born May 31, 1953, in Jackson County, Tennessee, to the late
James Odes and Velma Pippin Birdwell.
Richard was known for his unmatched work ethic and retired in 2013 after 32
years at Fleetguard/Cummins Filtration. Richard loved the outdoors, fishing, and
woodworking. He could fix almost anything that needed fixing and could always
be counted on for his honesty. Most of all, Richard loved his family. He was a
devoted husband and father and a proud “papa.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers James and
Fred Birdwell.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Kathy; children Danny (Brittany)
Birdwell, Brian (Jessica) Birdwell, and Jill (Ben) Marsee; beloved grandchildren
Cameron, Connor, Abner, and Whitley Birdwell, and Violet Marsee, all of
Cookeville and "bonus grand-daughter Beka Brawner of Sioux Falls, South Dakota;
sisters Anna Loftis and Bessie Robinson and brothers Donal and Litton Birdwell of
Bloomington Springs; brother Jasper Birdwell of Cookeville; and
a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and family and friends throughout the Upper
Cumberland and beyond.
Scott Anderson, Jeff Birdwell, Ryan Graham, Mike Hawkins, Greg Pippin, and
Frank Tittle will serve as pallbearers.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Crestlawn
Funeral Home with interment to follow at Crestlawn Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, April 23, from 4:00 pm
until 7:00 pm and again Monday, April 24, from 11:00 am until the time of the service
at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to
Cookeville High School Marching Band, Prescott South Middle School Band, or
Prescott South Middle School Chorus;programs that have greatly enriched the
lives of his grandchildren and other children in Putnam County.
April 19, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.
Richard was born May 31, 1953, in Jackson County, Tennessee, to the late
James Odes and Velma Pippin Birdwell.
Richard was known for his unmatched work ethic and retired in 2013 after 32
years at Fleetguard/Cummins Filtration. Richard loved the outdoors, fishing, and
woodworking. He could fix almost anything that needed fixing and could always
be counted on for his honesty. Most of all, Richard loved his family. He was a
devoted husband and father and a proud “papa.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers James and
Fred Birdwell.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Kathy; children Danny (Brittany)
Birdwell, Brian (Jessica) Birdwell, and Jill (Ben) Marsee; beloved grandchildren
Cameron, Connor, Abner, and Whitley Birdwell, and Violet Marsee, all of
Cookeville and "bonus grand-daughter Beka Brawner of Sioux Falls, South Dakota;
sisters Anna Loftis and Bessie Robinson and brothers Donal and Litton Birdwell of
Bloomington Springs; brother Jasper Birdwell of Cookeville; and
a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and family and friends throughout the Upper
Cumberland and beyond.
Scott Anderson, Jeff Birdwell, Ryan Graham, Mike Hawkins, Greg Pippin, and
Frank Tittle will serve as pallbearers.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Crestlawn
Funeral Home with interment to follow at Crestlawn Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, April 23, from 4:00 pm
until 7:00 pm and again Monday, April 24, from 11:00 am until the time of the service
at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to
Cookeville High School Marching Band, Prescott South Middle School Band, or
Prescott South Middle School Chorus;programs that have greatly enriched the
lives of his grandchildren and other children in Putnam County.