Richard Lee Poage

Richard Lee Poage, 78, of Augusta, KS, passed away Thursday, November 8, 2018.  Visitation Friday, November 16, 2018, 6-8 p.m. at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta.  Service 2:00pm, Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Augusta United Methodist Church of Augusta, KS.  Private burial will occur later at the Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, with family.

Rich was born in Almena, KS on December 4, 1939, to Helen S. (Hager) and Orval A. Poage.  Rich graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1961.  He was a teacher and very successful coach for 19 years coaching football, basketball and track at Augusta High School (1970-1979), WaKeeney, KS (1965-1970), Hoisington, KS (1964-1965), and Winchester, KS (1961-1964).  While at Wakeeney his football team enjoyed a 21 game winning streak, in Augusta his football teams had a three year run in the state playoffs and in track capturing a State Indoor championship and numerous other awards, like being named 3A Coach of the Year in 1976.  He also served as a driver's education teacher in each community.

After retiring from teaching, Rich had several other careers in custom harvesting, farming, he drove a charter bus for Village Charters, and sold specialty advertising for Bankers Advertising Company.  Rich also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing.  He was a member of the Augusta United Methodist Church for over 48 years where he also sang in the choir for most of those years.  He was a member of the National Education Association, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and he volunteered for Crime Stoppers and the White Eagle Credit Union.

On March 28, 1959 he married Donna Lee (Collins) Poage in Hays, KS. who survives him.  He is also survived by his children, David A. Poage and his wife Cheryl of Brandon, FL; Denise R. Wayland and her husband Rick of Augusta, KS; Doug L. Poage and his husband Johnnie Hawkins of Mill Creek, WA; brother Jerry Poage and his wife Barb of Hill City, KS; brother-in-law Eldon Breiner of York, NE.; 16 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Orval Poage; brothers, Phil Poage and Donald Poage; sisters, Wanda Breiner and Clair Ann Glenn; and daughter, Dana L. Poage.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Augusta United Methodist Church 2420 Ohio, Augusta, KS 67010, Amedisys Foundation, 250 W. Douglas Suite 110, Wichita, KS. 67202, or the Parkinson's Foundation at 200 SE 1st St. Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131.