Rabbitskin Community, Richard Eugene Messer, age 73, passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021.

 A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Hughes and Edith Palmer Messer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Bobby Messer; brother, Ray Messer; grandson, Jaxson Crawford; nephew, Danny Ray Messer; aunts, Katie Messer and Laurie Burgess.  Richard was a graduate of the first graduating class of Tuscola High School.  He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era.  Richard worked at Dayco for many years and was a member of Liberty Baptist Church.  He loved the outdoors and spent many hours working on his farm with his tractors and horses.  Richard volunteered at the Waynesville Charity Horse Show as well as the Christmas in July Horse Show in Shelbyville, Tennessee.  He was known to help anyone in need and would never ask for anything in return.  The Messer home had many special friends and kids throughout the years but Richard's biggest enjoyment in life was his grandchildren.

Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janet Grasty Messer; daughters, Courtney Nicole Messer (Anthony Sutton) and Lisa Marie Messer; aunt, Eve Rathbone; and six grandchildren, Keifer Messer, Devlin Lindsey, Caly Messer, Braxton Crawford, Paxton Messer, and Everlee Carter.

A special thanks from our heart to all the First Responders, EMS, and Sheriff’s Department for all their help.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021, at Liberty Baptist Church with Reverend Jerry Nelson officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at Wells Funeral Homes of Waynesville.  Serving as pallbearers will be Keifer and Kyle Messer, Chuck Russell, Billy Cody, Mike Haynes, Tony Long, and Alan Morrow.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Cochran, Hal Price, Denny Russell, Ralph Price, Earl Evans, Tommy Owens and Bill Davis.

Memorials may be made to Courtney Messer for the benefit of Richard's grandchildren in an account at Mountain Credit Union, 1700 Russ Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Mr. Messer has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.