Richard was born Oct. 20, 1940. After a brief illness, he went to his heavenly home on May 21, 2025, with his loving family by his side.
Richard was the son of John R. Tyson and Emma Johnson Tyson and was born and raised in Anson County.
Richard is preceded in death by a son, James Jr., and a daughter, Jamie Virginia Tyson, as well as his parents and sisters, Barbara Cooper and Brenda Plyer.
Richard was a lifelong forester working for Riegel Paper Company, Federal Paper Company, which was sold to International Paper Company. He would tell you he has cruised just about all the timber this side of the Mississippi River. He started and ran his own timber company, Richard Tyson Timber, until he retired.
Richard is survived by his wife, Rosa Britt Tyson, of the home; daughter Janie McDonald (Eddie) of Ellerbe; granddaughter, Shannon O’Neal (Jared) of Rockingham; grandsons, Joel McDonald (Lauren) of Hamlet, Jacob McDonald (Meredith) of Derby, and the joy of his life, 10 great-grandchildren — Macey, David, Addison O’Neal, Vivian and Chet, Mallory, Leamon, Dottie, Alton and Alley McDonald. He is also survived by his sisters, Phyliss Kupsick and Rachel Carpenter of Norwood and Mark Tyson of Ellerbe.
Richard attended and was very active in his church, Cartledge Creek Baptist Church in Rockingham, serving as men’s Sunday school teacher, deacon, and church treasurer.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Cartledge Creek Baptist in Rockingham. Funeral services will be Friday, May 23 at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cartledge Creek Building and Grounds Fund, 152 Ben Hudson Road, Rockingham, NC 28379; or Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences may be made at waston-kingfuneralhome.com Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Tyson family.
