David was born on August 27, 1935, the first son of Effie Lee and Arthur John Rich. As a child growing up in Foley Alabama he was a member of the Foley High School’s first marching band, the FFA club, the Key Club, The Kiwanis Club, the Civil Air Patrol and the Boy Scouts. He also played football and basketball and he graduated from Foley High School in 1953.
He enlisted in the United States Army on September 3, 1954 and served from 1954 to 1957 oversees in England and Germany as a Refrigeration Specialist and Tractor Operator earning the good conduct Medal of Achievement. He was a veteran of the Cold War having achieved the rank of specialist 2nd class E4. Upon his discharge from the military, he began his studies at the University of Southern Mississippi for two years.
He met his wife Vivian “Cookie” Mooney while she was visiting her summer home in Fort Morgan, Alabama. They were married on April 22, 1961 and they had two daughters, Janet Lee Rich & Ashley Mooney Rich.
David was employed at Baird Steel Company in Prichard, Alabama for 35 years as an estimator and detailer of reinforced concrete steel. He retired in 1997 when he began taking care of his first grandchild Ryan Cole Hurt.
He loved being a pilot at Roy E. Ray Airport flying with the Grice Family and owned a Piper Cub for many years.
He joined the Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department in May of 1998 and served on the department for over 15 years. In June of 2001, he received a letter of commendation for transporting a patient having a heart attack to the ambulance just after tropical storm Allison hit the peninsula. By transporting the patient to the ambulance without delay, the patient made it to the hospital in time. The patient went into cardiac arrest on arrival but the doctors were able to resuscitate him successfully due to the help of David.
David served as Associate President of the Association of General Contractors and was a faithful and loyal member of two Mobile Mystic Societies, one of which he was a member for over 62 years.
David was proceeded in death by his parents, Effie Osborne Rich and Arthur John Rich and his nephew Patrick Lee Rich. He is survived by his wife, Vivian “Cookie” Mooney Rich, married 64 years and his two daughters, Janet Rich(Craig) Pittman and Supernumerary District Attorney Ashley Rich (Ritchie) Hurt, his two devoted grandchildren Ryan Cole Hurt and Madelyn Dorothy Hurt, his brother William Herbert Rich, two nephews, Serge Rich and Dennis Rich and many other family members and friends.
A wake will be held Radney Funeral Home at 3155 Dauphin Street in Mobile on 26th day of August, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1707 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama on August 27th, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery 34904 Alabama Highway 225 in Spanish Fort, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department, 12105 State Highway 180 Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542.
