Richard Duane Followell, 77, of Paducah died Thursday, February 8, 2013, at 8 p.m. at his home.

Richard was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on December 11, 1935, to the late Robert Dillon Followell and Cora Bell Stilley Followell. He served in the United States Army Reserve and attended Draughon’s Business College. Richard worked at Union Carbide and Airco Chemicals until he purchased Followell’s Gulf, which he operated for 30 years. He was a member of West End Baptist Church and taught Sunday School at various Baptist churches for over 50 years. Richard was a member of Woodmen of the World and was awarded “Mr. Woodmen” in 1990. He was an avid and skilled bowler, sponsoring the Followell’s Gulf team for many years. He also was a dedicated fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jerretta Spees Followell; a daughter, Cara Jeanine “Jeanne” Byford and husband Chris of McKinney, Texas; four sons, Richard Blake Followell and wife Teresa, Michael Duane Followell and wife Dawn, and Stanley Todd Followell all of Paducah, and Robert Allen Followell and wife Khristina of Knoxville; 11 grandchildren, Timothy Followell, James Followell, Katie Followell, Emily Followell, Whitney Followell, Matthew Followell, Stephen Followell, Blake Followell, Sarah Beth Followell, Kayleigh Byford, and Evan Byford; a sister, Jean Biggers and husband John of Sedona, Ariz.; a brother, Darrell Followell and wife Annabelle of Paducah; and a half sister, Gladys Trail of Metropolis, Ill.

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Kyle Evan Byford and Michaela Rose Byford; and his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 10, 2013, at Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Lindsey and the Rev. Terry Sills officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery in Boaz.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013, at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to West End Baptist Church, 324 South 28th Street, Paducah, KY 42001.

You may leave a message of sympathy at www.milnerandorr.com.