Richard Wayne "Rick" Leach

Richard “Rick” Wayne Leach, 62 of Pineville, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at his home. He was born in Pineville on April 16, 1961, a son of Shirley Kaye Leach Williams and Loyall Partin. Rick was a world class artist, sculptor, and realist. Rick attended church at various locations and was saved by the Blood of Christ. He was known and respected for his art as well as his kind heart. He was loved by everyone that came in contact with him and was always willing to lend a helping hand to people he both knew and didn’t know.

Rick was known in his youth for his athletic ability, and he played basketball for the Pineville Mountain Lions. He then played center for the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets when he later transferred, graduating in 1979. Rick had a love of art that developed at an early age, and upon graduation he attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderale from 1980-1982.

Upon graduation from art school, Rick was offered a lucrative position from Ralph Lauren Polo in their Design Department, but he chose instead to return home. When he returned home to the mountains he loved and the family he missed, he accepted a position as Lead Design Illustrator at Profits, where he worked at for a number of years. While at Profits, which later became Belks, Rick received several Nation Golden Addy Awards for Best Hand Drawn Illustration in the United States in three different categories. Rick eventually decided to go into business for himself as a Freelance Illustrator Muralist, where he did many works that can be found throughout Kentucky and Tennessee, and also in the homes of many family and friends.

In his later years, Rick slowed down to spend more time with family and to devote any free time he had to proudly raising his son, Gavin. Rick’s artwork can be found in many places around the area, as well as his love in the hearts of many.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Leach Williams of Pineville; father, Loyall Partin of Pineville; grandparents, Harvey and Marie Leach of Clairfield, Tennessee, and Porter and Della Partin of Little Clear Creek; sister, Rebecca Williams Davis of Gray.

Rick is survived by a son, Gavin Leach of Pineville; brothers, Tim Williams and Rose of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Chuck Partin and Stephanie of Lexington, and Chris Partin and Beth of Lexington; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be at 7:00 PM on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home. Burial will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday at the family Kemplen Cemetery in Roses Creek, Tennessee.

All family and friends are welcome, flowers and donations toward the funeral should be made to Gavin Leach and Arnett & Steele Funeral Home, 106 S Cherry Street, Pineville, Kentucky 40977.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville, which is honored to serve the Leach Family. Light a candle of remembrance and sign the guest register at www.arnettsteele.com.