Richard A. Nail Obituary
Richard (Dick) A. Nail, Sr., loving husband, father, and grandfather, died August 4, 2022. He was born July 25, 1940, in Kimberly, AL to Gerstile and Eunavee (Denson) Nail and was a Kimberly resident for most of his life.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Gerstile; his mother, Eunavee; his sister, Lila; his brother, Sammy; and his beloved German Shorthaired Pointer, Dutch. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jewel; his brother, Jakie (Geneva) Childers; his children, Leah Commer, Pam (Russ) Rosser, Vickie (Allen) McKee; and Rick (Karen) Nail; his grandchildren, Ben Rosser, Jeremy (Ali) McKee, Daniel (Abby) McKee, Luke (Krissi) Rosser, Sarah Commer, AnnaLeah Commer, Kelsey Nail, Madison Nail, and Ike (Brooke) Nail; and four great grandchildren.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Jewel Morris, and joined the United States Marines Corps when he was eighteen, serving for seven and a half years. Throughout his life, he treasured the time and friendships that he formed in the Corps, and more recently enjoyed the meetings, breakfasts, and dinners that he participated in with the Marine Corps League's Howlin 'Mad' Smith Det AL SEDIV. He was also a member of the local Masonic lodge for all of his adult life and became a Knights Templar several years ago.
He drove a truck across America for many years, after which he drove for FedEx until his retirement. He would entertain his family with pictures, descriptions, and stories of his travels to distant places. He loved to spend time with people and he loved to laugh and to hear others laugh. He rarely missed an opportunity to tell a great joke or funny story, sometimes breaking out in tearful laughter before the punchline.
Dick was Kimberly's Renaissance Man as he gained mastery in many topics and talents throughout his life.
He could do anything that he set his mind to accomplish. He drew cartoons for The Birmingham News, wrote a column for the North Jefferson Times, trained as a taxidermist, and a barber. He taught himself to work wood, paint with oils, and fashion a long barrel rifle. He was a fly-fishing enthusiast and became very proficient at the art of fly tying, spending many weekends over the years in the mountains of TN and NC, wading those mountain creeks with his son and friends.
Interwoven into every aspect of the rich tapestry of his life was music. His mother's people, the Densons, and his father instilled a great love for the Sacred Harp (FaSoLa), New Book singing, and Hymnal singing. He taught his daughters to sing the Sacred Harp and all parts while sitting on his knee when they were small children. Throughout his life, he loved to attend Sacred Harp singings and he directed countless songs in the center of the hollow square. He formed a family bluegrass band, The Uplander Singing Band, and played mandolin for many years, performing both gospel and traditional bluegrass. He led a Friday night bluegrass jam for over 40 years in Kimberly. He also wrote music and lyrics and taught singing schools. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and was a member of the Bluegrass Gospel Association. He loved spending time with musicians, sharing music and stories.
He was a life-long learner and a voracious reader. He had an eclectic preference, devouring books on history, politics, naval battles, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, maps, biographies, intrigue, adventure, self-help, Appalachian lore, animals, trains, as well as many other topics. He enjoyed sharing interesting information that he had read or rediscovered with his family and friends. In fact, he was their resident historian and encyclopedia of knowledge.
He was a Christian and loved the Lord. He was a member of the Kimberly Church of God and attended there for much of his life. He loved his country, the United States of America, and was one of her staunchpatriots and devoted supporters. He adored his wife of 64 years, his children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren, celebrating their successes and supporting them in their disappointments. He loved his friends, also, and treasured time spent with them. One of his most endearing qualities was that he told people, often, that he loved them and cared about them. Those he shared his life with are incredibly richer for having known him. He is now Homeward Bound to the feet of Jesus, his Lord and Savior.
The family will receive friends at Messmer Goodwin Funeral Home Tuesday, August 9, from 12:00- 1:00 p.m., with funeral service following immediately after in the chapel. Interment will be at Sardis Cemetery (535 Mayfield Loop, Gardendale, Alabama 35079).
