We are sad to announce that our legendary coach, Dr. Richard Burt Myrick, died on June 28th in Marietta, GA at the age of 76 after a courageous battle following surgery to repair an aortic aneurism.
Rick was born in Montgomery, AL on Aug 9th, 1946 to George and Jean Burt Myrick, and grew up in the Highland Avenue area. He distinguished himself early as an outstanding athlete and graduated from Robert E. Lee HS in 1964.
His success on the basketball court parlayed into a basketball scholarship at Walker Junior College in Jasper, AL, where he was an honorable mention All-American. He followed that with a scholarship to Huntingdon College. Rick was a 2015 inductee into Huntingdon's Athletic Hall of Fame for his records and achievements on the basketball court.
Rick's other athletic love was golf. He was a member of the Huntingdon golf team and winner of many local tournaments in Montgomery and beyond. He went on to own successful golf shops in the Naples, FL area, and in his lifetime made 21 holes-in-one — including the famous one in Ft Myers, FL for a $1,000,000 prize— which was widely broadcast on ESPN at the time.
Rick's calling in life was coaching. When he graduated from Huntingdon in 1968, he began an illustrious career as a high school coach at Escambia Co HS, Billingsley, Stanhope Elmore, Prattville, Booker T. Washington, and lastly at Walton HS in Marietta, GA. Rick enjoyed success at each school and built lasting relationships with his players.
At Walton, along with coaching in the football and basketball program, Rick built a powerhouse program with Lady Raiders golf team and was 6-time Marietta Daily Journal Coach of the Year. These players and their accomplishments were Coach Myrick's pride and joy. After 16 years at Walton, he retired last year.
He was a member of Fiddlesticks Country Club in Naples, Bonnie Crest and Wynlakes Country Clubs in Montgomery, and Indian Hills Country Club in Marietta where he won many tournaments and competitions into his eighth decade of life.
He was a Silver medalist in the 1999 Senior Olympic Games.
Rick is survived by his wife Dr. Joy McNees Myrick and four children, Dr. Julian McNees Lambert, George Edward Myrick, Lela Myrick Croy (A.J.), Rebekah Myrick and his beloved grandson George Alan Croy. He is also survived by his brother David Myrick (Dianne) of Mobile, sister Barbara Myrick of Montgomery and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Bill Myrick. He leaves behind a treasure trove of former teammates, golfing buddies, student-athletes that he coached, and good friends who loved him.
Everyone who met Rick has a story to tell regarding his compassion, his dedication, and his fortitude. These stories and the numerous articles and memorabilia regarding his accomplishments will be archived and made digitally available at RickMyrick.org.
The Rick Myrick Foundation has been established at his behest — and in his memory — to promote and support outstanding athletes, teachers, and coaches as well as provide opportunities and grants for young athletes in the Atlanta and Montgomery regional areas in the sport of golf. Please send donations to: The Rick Myrick Foundation, P.O. Box 71512, Marietta, GA 30007-1512.
2023 MDJ COBB COUNTY PLAYER OF THE YEAR !!!
Named to the 2023 7A - ALL STATE TEAM
Good luck to the Lady Raiders at the 7A State Championship at Sunset Country Club in Moultrie, Georgia. The tournament is scheduled to be played on May 17 and May 18, 2021