Rev. Thomas Richard Wilkes

Reverend Thomas Richard Wilkes passed away at his home in Breckenridge, Texas, on January 24, 2025. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Southside Funeral Chapel (2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, LA, 71118). Longtime friend, Pastor Johnny Booty will be officiating. Interment to follow at Forest Park West Cemetery, followed by a reception at Elks Lodge (301 E. Preston Ave, Shreveport, LA, 71105).

Richard was born on February 19, 1953, to Johnny and Maggie (nee Ross) Wilkes in Shreveport, Louisiana and was raised in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. He was an accomplished athlete who would often brag about his walk-off grand slam against Holy Rosary as the catcher for Southside Baptist. His teammates included future collegiate and professional athletes. He cherished his memories of summer baseball games.

Richard was a mailing machine technician for many years before transitioning to the work he was most known for as a minister for those who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction at the Overcomers, and then Eagle Creek, recovery center. Over the years, he changed the eternal destiny of many by bringing them to faith in Jesus Christ. He was an illustrious Bible teacher who was especially well known for his teaching on the Book of Romans and God’s grace. He was completely self-taught and had a library of hundreds of books. He was especially influenced by the writings of Watchman Nee. He loved all of the men he counseled over the years.

Most importantly, he was a family man who loved his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed keeping up with his friends and family by talking to them for hours. Outside of work and family, Richard enjoyed sports (especially his Dallas Cowboys) and fishing. Richard had a knack for knowing interesting people and getting himself into interesting situations. His life was anything but boring. He was known for his sharp sense of humor, intelligence, and perseverance through adversity. He was an ordained minister of the First Assemblies of God and pastored at First Assemblies of Shreveport (now Shreveport Community Church). As an adult, he lived in Dallas, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana before retiring in the small West Texas town of Breckenridge. He was a parishioner at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. 

He is survived by his children, Renee (Carl) David, Jennifer Hershey, Chris (Katie) Wilkes; sister, Beverly Barnes; grandchildren, Austin (Rachel) and Tori Baccarie, Collin and Gavin Shoemaker, and Jonas and Ella Wilkes; and great-grandchildren, Graham and Ellis Baccarie. He is preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and his beloved mother, Maggie; sisters, Patricia Giddens and Barbara Lee; brothers-in-law, Chester Giddens, Beaux Barnes, and Gail Lee; and dear friends, Jay King and Randy Speed.