Richard E. Esty, age 80, of Oak Ridge.TN, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at his home on July 9, 2026. He was born on April 23,1946 in Oak Ridge to the late Howard and Anne (Bennett) Esty.
Richard grew up during a post-war era in Oak Ridge, often referred to as the “Secret City” for the part it played in the history of WWII. Richard graduated in 1966 from Oak Ridge High School and soon afterwards he joined the United States Navy. Upon completion of basic training, he enrolled in specialized radioman training at the Naval Station in Norfolk, VA. Afterwards he was assigned to the Naval Communications Station in Morocco near the town of Sidi Yahia and the city of Kenitra. As a Navy Radioman, he was responsible for transmitting and receiving coded messages, operating teletype and Morse code equipment, maintaining radio logs and securing highly classified materials. His last Naval duty assignment was aboard the USS Sierra at Portsmouth, VA. Richard was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. After serving his country for four years, he received an Honorable Discharge in 1971. He was proud to be a United States Navy veteran.
Richard’s various work skills provided him with several opportunities to work at different occupations that included merchant marine, welder/pipe fitter, and a long-haul trucker delivering various goods from coast to coast. Richard worked for several years as a concrete truck driver for Roger’s Group. Inc. and later for Harrison Construction Company. He was one of two drivers granted security clearance which allowed him access to the K-25, Y-12, and X-10 plants in Oak Ridge. Richard retired from Harrison’s in 2009 with 25 plus years of dedicated service.
Music was a passion for Richard that greatly inspired him throughout his life. He never missed an opportunity to share names of songs and their brief history with people he knew, or he met. Music is truly his legacy he leaves for the generations of today and tomorrow. Richard was an avid gunman at target shooting and he also enjoyed fishing, woodwork, playing pool. and feeding and watching the various birds that visited his yard daily.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Donna (Adkisson) Esty; three sons, Jason Esty (Karla) of Knoxville, TN; Merlin Esty; and Raven Esty, both of Oak Ridge, TN; one brother, Howard Esty of Oak Ridge, TN; and two grandchildren, Madeline Esty and Alex Esty of Knoxville, TN. In addition to his late parents, Richard was preceded in death by his oldest brother, John Esty, of FL and daughter-in-law, Connie Esty of Oak Ridge, TN.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends to gather and share their stories and memories in honor of Richard and his adventurous life will be held on Saturday, August 22 from 4:00-6:00 pm at the WILDCAT DEN located inside the Midtown Community Center at 102 Robertsville Rd in Oak Ridge, TN.
*Special thanks” to Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston for their kind assistance and care provided to the Esty family during their time of loss.