Jiles David Richeson

Jiles David Richeson passed away peacefully on November 20, 2025. He was 82 years old.

David was born in Fort Worth, Texas to Effie and Jiles Richeson. He grew up in Fort Worth where his strong sense of ambition and humor were apparent from a young age. Ft Worth is also where David’s strong work ethic developed – he always had some kind of job, even at an early age- which enabled him to drive fancy cars and buy dapper clothes, avocations which endured throughout his life. Among his favorite childhood memories, he often regaled delivering newspapers on his paper route to Paul English, Willie Nelson’s longtime drummer.

David attended Arlington State University, now the University of Texas at Arlington and later earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Early in his career, he worked in Washington DC as legal counsel for Congressman, Jake Pickle, an experience he always remembered as one of the most rewarding and influential chapters of his professional life.

In 1970 David married Sally Yates whom he met on a blind date while living in Washington DC. The two built a lifetime of love and shared adventure together. They eventually settled in Fort Pierce, Florida, where David established a long and successful law practice in the field of Labor and Employment Law. David’s successful law practice spanned throughout Central and South Florida where he was recognized as one of the leading employment lawyers in the state. David and Sally’s historic home in Fort Pierce on the Indian River became a gathering place for family and friends, filled with laughter, lively conversation, and the smell of David’s famous ribs smoking in the back yard.

David and Sally spent extended summers in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where he enjoyed gardening, James Lee Burke novels and his daily hikes. Together they shared a deep love of travel that took them across the world from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they celebrated the turn-of-the-century with family, all the way to Antarctica on what would become their final great adventure.

David is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sally Yates Richeson, his daughter, Lillah Richeson Cruce, and husband, Chris, grandchildren, Sarah and Morgan Cruce, nephews Rick and Mark Burleson and their families and brothers in law Bill, Clay and David Yates and sisters in law Jackie Russakis and Josie Cameron and their families. David will be remembered for his wit, his intellect and his boundless curiosity. Those who knew David will remember a man who loved a good story, cherished a quiet morning on the river and never lost sight of the humor and grace that make life worth living. His was indeed a life well lived.

Friends and family are invited to join in celebration of David’s life at a memorial service to be held at St. John’s in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock on Tuesday December 2nd at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St John’s in the Wilderness or a charity of one’s own choice in his memory.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.