Richard J. "Piney" Lescody

A funeral service celebrating the life of Richard “Piney” Lescody, 89 of Heath, will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home with Pastor Cory Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in Newark Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street, Newark, two hours prior to the funeral service on Wednesday, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Piney passed away peacefully at home with loved ones on July 21, 2023. He was born on December 12, 1933 in Newark to the late Margaret (Tokie) and John Lescody. Piney graduated from Newark High School, where he met the love of his life, in 1951. His first job in high school was at the SOHIO filling station on the corner of First and E. Main. He then spent 39 years working as an engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation on roadway drainage design. Also affectionately known as Dick, and more importantly, dad and grandpa, Piney was a friend to everyone he met and also a father figure to many. His list of friends was just as long as his list of hobbies. He was a member of the Newark Elks Lodge, a deacon at Central Christian Church, an avid golfer, racket baller, bowler (with several trophies to prove it), square dancer, cigar aficionado, collector and loved his music. He also enjoyed boating and spending time on Buckeye Lake with family and friends. A baseball fan for life, he cheered on the Reds and was in the Old Timers League. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Barbara, often toting around any number of their grandchildren on each adventure in their motor home. They enjoyed their retirement spending winters in Florida and their summers caring for the family home he built with the help of relatives and friends in Heath in 1963. Piney was a family man who adored his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews; and they adored him just as much. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Barbara; his three children, Vicky (Dean) Tutwiler, Kathy (Steve) Harper, Chris (Nickie) Lescody; sister, Margie Wheeler; grandchildren, Jenny, Amber, Mandy, Michelle (Luke), Aurora, and Teagan; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Emma, Deanna, Angie, Eli, Harper, and Birdie; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and more. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Ecleberry; brother, Theodore Lescody; and his brother-in-law, Bill Wheeler. His family would like to express their sincerest thanks to those who helped care for him, especially Amy Smith, for her dedication and loving care, along with Toni, Debbie, Katie, and Kelly, among others. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Richard to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Richard and his family.