Richard O. Gammon

Richard Olen Gammon, 83 of Church Street in Tignall entered into rest on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

He was born in Berry, Alabama. on Christmas Day 1942 to Theodore and Elizabeth Winters Gammon.

Richard attended Warner Robins High School where he lettered in tennis. During his Senior year in 1961, his team won the state championship and he taught tennis lessons the following Summer.

Soon after, he attended David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. For one year and decided that he should go to work instead. He worked for Sears in Macon for a short time and then joined the US Army.

He met Carolyn Dunaway while she was in college and they married on November 13, 1965. Five months later Richard’s company, the 173RD Assault Helicopter Co. was activated and sent to Vietnam. During his tour, he served as a “Door Gunner” with the "Robin Hoods". They flew over 50 missions actively supporting major US and allied ground units. After returning from Vietnam, he didn’t like to be around a crowd of people and was more of a loner. He was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Ky. for almost a year before being released from active duty.

Richard and Carolyn were living in Bay Minette, Alabama where Richard was managing a Sears store there. Their son, Craig was born on January 5, 1971. A year later, they moved back to Georgia and Richard started working at W.T. Johnson. After the store closed, he worked at Washington Ford Sales as a car salesman for 25 years.

He had been a resident of Tignall for many years and served as Mayor from 2003 until 2011. He and his wife shared a common love for reading and he was always the winner of any Trivial Pursuit game that he participated in. Also, Richard was a member of Tignall Baptist Church.

In his personal life, Richard enjoyed simple and meaningful pleasures. He loved to read and spent many hours with a good book. He also enjoyed gardening, tending both flowers and vegetables with patience and care. The vegetables he grew were often canned and pickled, a reflection of his resourcefulness and appreciation for the fruits of his labor.

He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Carolyn Dunaway Gammon; his son, Craig Gammon and wife Sandra of Tignall; his grandchildren, Curt Gammon, Kara Gammon Pickett and husband Coby, and Kaci Gammon; his great-grandchildren, Peyton Gammon and Copeland Pickett; his sister-in-law, Kay Tyler; and his nephews, Greg Tyler, Justin Gammon, and Kevin Gammon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Elizabeth Winters Gammon and his brother, William T. Gammon.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 3 o’clock p.m. at Tignall Baptist Church. His cremains will be interred in the church cemetery at a later date.

The family will receive friends beginning at 2 o’clock p.m. until the hour of the service in the church sanctuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tignall Baptist Church P O Box 236 Tignall, GA 30668 or Wilkes County Ramp Ministry P O Box 132 Washington, GA 30673.

The family wishes to express grateful appreciation to Bristol Hospice and the Nancy Hart Nursing Center for the wonderful care of their loved one.

Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton is honored to serve the family of Mr. Richard O. Gammon.