Richard Madison Trimble, 82, of Pensacola, FL died Saturday, May 26, 2018 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.

He was born in Ft. Valley, GA and raised in the Clarksdale, MS area. He was a man noted for service, service to his country, Christ, church and community. As a young man, Richard enlisted in the US Navy. After training in Avionics and a move to Hawaii, he was assigned to an aviation squadron based in Atsugi, Japan, where he flew as the crew's radar operator. His next tour was Moffett Field, CA where he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. His proficiency in the Avionics field, coupled with his can-do spirit made him invaluable to the squadron. He was soon offered the opportunity to go into the Warrant Officer program. US Navy Warrant Officers are selected based on their technical proficiency and leadership skills. His selection for this promotion took him to a new duty station in Bermuda. The next tour took him to Albany, GA with a Vigilantes jet squadron. They deployed off the coast of Vietnam and later relocated to Key West, FL. The following tour returned him to Moffett Field, CA where he deployed to Japan, the Philippines and Alaska. After 3 decades of dedicated service, Richard finished his twilight tour at VT-4, Pensacola, FL. After a highlighted career with numerous awards and medals, he retired in Pensacola. He was a true "MacGyver", fond of duct tape and with 50+ cigar boxes of nuts and bolts, washers, screws…he could fix anything.

After retirement from the Navy he served his Lord with nearly 20 years of dedicated service to Florida Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. He and his wife, Sarah Jo, responded to disasters locally, nationally, and internationally. They served in NYC during the aftermath of 9/11, in Indonesia after the Tsunami, in Haiti after the earthquake and during many storms in the US. His specialty was mass feeding and water purification. After his health prevented active response, he continued to serve by training others. Richard was a member of Olive Baptist Church for 40 years, where he was active with his Sunday School and the military ministry. This chronology of Richard's life lists a dynamic, full life. But, it does not mention the love he had for his Lord, his family and his country. His optimistic attitude and respect for everyone will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Jo; former wife, Pat Trimble and their two children, Richard Craig Trimble (San Jose, CA) and Dana Trimble Kellen (Parker, CO) as well as two grandchildren, William Kellen (Cecilia) and Katherine Kellen and twin great grandsons, Oliver and Benjamin Kellen. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Smith (Bob) and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be 10:00am Friday, June 8, 2018 at Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Jon Dubois and Rev. Delton Beall officiating. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery with Rev. Mike Dimick officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Olive Baptist Church – Warrington Campus, Military Ministry, 1836 Olive Rd., Pensacola, FL 32514 or Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief, 6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL 32216.