Richard "Strangler" Gum

Richard “Strangler” Gum, 61, of Jonesboro, died at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. He lived most of his life in the Jonesboro area.  According to his family, he was of the Bapticostal belief.  He was over the transportation department for many years at Nettleton Public School.  As an avid supporter of Special Olympics and FFA, he spent countless hours working for these causes.  When it came to the outdoors, he loved to hunt and fish.  When it came to his friends, he was “honory”.  He loved to cook and feed his friends.  He lived enough life for about 10 people.  He was even struck by lightening twice.  He was preceded in death by his mothers, Wilma Adams, Butch Henry, and Nell Adams; his dad, Vercieal Adams; brothers, Sonny Adams; sisters, Glenda Adams, Josephine Milsap; grandmother, Cleta Henry and grandfather, Coy Henry.

Survivors include his daughter, Lauri Montgomery and husband, Drew; brother, Ricky Adams, all of Jonesboro; Allen Adams of Bono; Kenneth Gum of Jonesboro; sisters, Deborah Rogers of Jonesboro; Vicki Spears of Conway, Arkansas; Shera McMurray of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Gracie Gilmer, Makayla Roberson (Lance) Addison Montgomery, and Savannah Olbman; and Kathy Gum, life-long friend and co-parent..

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Wes Fairchild and Ryan Wortham officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Honorary pallbearers are Doug Ward, Ricky Glenn, John Sawyer Sr., Joe Barrett, and employees of United Pawn of Jonesboro.  Burial will be private and visitation will be from 1:00 until service time.

For lasting memorials, please consider the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Washington, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401 or the Special Olympics, 2115 Main St, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.