Richard T. Israel

Richard T. Israel, 91, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

An Asheville native, Richard was the son of the late Robert Troy and Dorothy Snyder Israel. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Jenkins, and granddaughter, Christina Quinn Edney.

Mr. Israel proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, spending a year in Korea during the Korean War. After the war, he graduated from the University of Tennessee, and following a long career working in management of various manufacturing industries, he retired as an industrial management educator from Haywood Community College. He was a member of the Mt. Hermon Masonic Lodge #118 A.F. & A.M., Asheville, and a longtime and faithful member of Fletcher United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Clara Pruett Israel; children, Joy Quinn (Carter Lally), Hope Reynolds (David), Laurie Smith (Steven), Susan Phillips (Eric), and John Israel; eight grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and sister, Betty Luther.

Mr. Israel’s family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Randy N. Sherrill, Fletcher United Methodist Church, and Pastor Joy Moss, Skyland United Methodist Church, will officiate. The interment, with military honors, will then take place at Green Hills Cemetery.