Richard Wells

Richard Grover Wells, Jr., an entrepreneur and former Pikeville, Kentucky civic leader, died in Rutledge, Tennessee on November 23. He was 96 years old. In 1951, Richard built the cable television system known as Valley Television bystringing cable from a remote mountain-top antenna to the City of Pikeville. According to the Federal Communications Commission, Valley Television was the third cable television system licensed to operate in the United States. In 1957, Richard received General Electric's "All American" award in recognition of his pioneering work in cable television and Life Magazine featured Richard in its December issue. Richard was a former Pikeville City Commissioner and former president of the Blue Lodge Chapter of the Masonic Temple, and served on the Board of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association. He also built and operated the former Star Lite Bowling Center near downtown Pikeville and served a brief stint as Pikeville's Assistant Postmaster.Richard was born in Hellier, Kentucky in 1916. In 1919, his father, R. G., opened Modern Appliance and Home Furniture Store in downtown Pikeville on the bank of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. The store, which was the first large furniture store in eastern Kentucky, received its shipments by boat and train. Richard was one of two children of R.G. and Vina (Arrowood) Wells. His brother, Walter Wells, preceded him in death. His marriage to Margaret R. Wells of Lexington, Kentucky ended in divorce. He is survived by two children, Bonnie Todd (James B.) of Lexington, and Richard (Barbara), of Denver, Colorado, four grandchildren, James Todd, Stephanie Todd Browning, Lisa Wells Thies, and Heather Wells Kiely, and six greatgrandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 1 at Reece Funeral Home in Harrogate, Tennessee. Reece Funeral Home in charge of arrangements 423-869-3651 or www.reecefh.com.