Funeral services for Richard Wayne Jernigan, age 68, of Monterey, Tennessee, and formerly of Nashville, Tennessee, will be conducted on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM from the Chapel of Goff Funeral Home.
Rev. Joe Jernigan will officiate with interment to follow in the Welch Memorial Cemetery.
Richard was born Saturday, September 21, 1957 in Monterey, Tennessee, to the late Robert Lee Jernigan Sr. and Charlie Mae Vaughn Jernigan.
Richard passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026 in his home.
Richard was a Renaissance man and a Jack of all trades. He loved working with his hands whether it was woodworking, making jewelry, or working in the garden. He was an avid collector, fantasy and science fiction lover, and enjoyed aquariums, fish, and aquatic plants.
Richard was not the type to give speeches or write letters, but if you needed help with your car at 10PM on a Tuesday, he was already on his way to the garage with a wrench and flashlight in hand. That is how he loved people.
Richard graduated from Jackson Central Merry High School in Jackson, Tennessee. He attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. He was a member of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity.
He was the Assistant Executive Director for the Organization of Country Radio Broadcasters during the 1990s. He also worked at CBS Records Nashville as a member of the Arts & Repertoire Department, working with several music artists. Richard spent the majority of his career as an IT Contractor, providing IT support and expertise throughout Nashville, Tennessee.
Richard is survived by his children: Kelly (sp. Matthew) Koteles; Kenneth Jernigan; Kevin (sp. Maggie) Jernigan; Rowan Emerson (formerly Kortney Jernigan)
Grandchildren: Robert “Robbie” William; Lauren Virginia; Connor Louis; Nathanial Wayne
Siblings: Robert (sp. Priscilla) Jernigan; Pat (sp. Sam) Wilson; Rev. Joe (sp. Becky) Jernigan
His fraternity brothers, and a host of family members.
The family will receive friends at Goff Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 10AM until the time of services at 11AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jernigan Memorial Fund for the upkeep of the Jernigan Cemetery Plot. This was something Richard cared about deeply.
Arrangements and Care provided by D.M. Goff Funeral Home, Inc., 205 East Cleveland Avenue, Monterey, Tennessee 38574, Phone, 931.839.2311.