Richard Warren Chord

Richard Warren Chord

R.W.

December 11, 1931 ~ White Owl, South Dakota

October 5, 2025 ~ Calhoun, Tennessee

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord...

that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

Revelation 14:13

Richard was born on December 11, 1931, near White Owl, South Dakota. He was the ninth of twelve children born to Roy Ellsworth Chord and Edith Esther Clayton. On September 24, 1949, he married Joan Marie Landphere in Rapid City, SD. They were blessed with seventy-three and a half years of marriage. Together they raised four children: Warren LeRoy Chord of Gillette, WY, Daniel Howard (Patty) Chord of Riceville, TN, Edith Esther (Dan) Black of Calhoun, TN, and Robert Wayne Chord. He loved and prayed for his twenty grandchildren, forty-five great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Richard was called into the ministry at a young age and served as a pastor in North Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, and South Dakota. He also served as a missionary in Jamaica for over twenty years. He had a heart for Christian Education and helped start schools in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Jamaica.

He was an avid reader, especially of the Bible. His favorite verse was Matthew 11:28-30 which says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Richard had a strong work ethic and was proficient in many trades but would always take the time to play a game of chess.

Richard is survived by his children: Warren, Dan, and Edie and one sister: Ilowee Owens of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Joan, his son: Bob Chord, and siblings: Donald Chord, Zoe Grotzke, Doris Mickelson, Wayne Chord, Vernon Chord, Everett Chord, Iris Dau, Ruth Mayer, and Paolo Chord

Visitation will be held at Companion Funeral Home in Cleveland, Tennessee on Wednesday, October 8, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with the service at 7:00 PM.

Visitation will be held at Black Hills Funeral Home in Sturgis, South Dakota on Monday, October 13, at 10:00 am with the service at 11:00 am. Burial will follow immediately at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Richard or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.