Mr. James Richard Arp, age 62, of Ringgold, Georgia passed away Tuesday, June 05, 2012. Mr. Arp received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia.  He then worked at Brenau College and for the Baptist Home Mission Board before returning to UGA for his master’s degree.  He was employed with the Northwest Georgia Bank as Vice President in Marketing. Richard was a member of the Fort Ogelthorpe Kiwanis and served as President from October 1986 through September 1987. He served as Lieutenant Governor of the Kentucky Tennessee District of Kiwanis International from October 1988 through September 1989 and also served on the board of directors and various committees working on community projects with local key clubs. Richard also became a George Hixson fellow in 1999 to assist in raising funds that reached $1,000,000 for Kiwanis and UNICEF to eliminate iodine deficiency in the world. He served on the task force which began the Catoosa Learning Center and served on the board as Chairman of Catoosa Citizens for literacy. Richard served as Vice President of Friends of the Park and as Chairman of the Catoosa County Area Chamber of Commerce in 1998. He received the Addy Award from the Atlanta Ad Club for local ads and commercials while working at Hutcheson Medical Center in 1987 and 1989 and served on the management team at Hutcheson Medical Center which brought the hospital back into prominence in the 1980’s. Richard served on the Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation and on the committee which established and constructed the Catoosa County Amphitheater at the colonnade.   He was a member of Fort Ogelthorpe First Baptist Church.  Mr. Arp was preceded in death by his father, J. D. (Deb) Arp and brother, Robbie Desmond Arp.

He is survived by children, Jacob Davis Arp, Abigail Arp Sexton and Grace Arp Hill, all of Ringgold, GA; his mother, Kathleen Arp of McCaysville, GA; sisters, Melba Arp Akins of Epworth, GA, Marsha Arp Davenport of McCaysville, GA; grandchild, Zachary Shane Sexton.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, June 9th at 2:00 p.m. from the McCaysville First Baptist Church with Rev. Matthew McDaniel officiating. Pallbearers were Bob Nichols, Ronnie Ross, Mike Ballew, Jim Crawford, Joe Crawford, Don Farrow, and Joe Arp.  Honorary pallbearers were Farrell Hayes, Everett Hullum, Craig Wandell, Brad Baucom, Steve McDaniel, Jim Carson, Steve Phillips, Mike Lawrence, Robert Arp, Tom Foster, Kiwanis Club of Ft. Ogelthorpe members, and Employees of NWG Bank.  Interment followed in the Crestlawn cemetery. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill was in charge of the arrangements.