- Date Of Birth: December 18, 1953
- Date Of Death: December 3, 2020
- State: Georgia
Dr. Richard D. Compton, D.D.S., age 66, of Summerville, GA, died Thursday, December 3, 2020, at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.
Dr. Compton was born December 18, 1953, in Chattanooga, TN, son of Rachel Myra Tittle Compton and the late Jesse Ervin Compton. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brothers Alex Compton and Crawford Compton.
After graduating with honors from Brainerd High School in 1973, where he was a state champion wrestler and played tuba in the marching band, Richard attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, graduating in 1979 with magna cum laude honors. From there, Richard attended dental school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. While in dental school, Richard was a member of the Dental Christian Fellowship and ultimately graduated in the top ten of his class in 1983. As a testament to his strong work ethic, he worked at the Chattanooga Times throughout college and dental school, obtaining the title of Journeyman Pressman and serving as Secretary Treasurer for the Pressman’s Union. With a new dental degree, Richard and his family moved to Summerville, GA, where he worked with Dr. Lovingood for over two years before opening Compton Family Dentistry in 1985. Through the course of a distinguished career of nearly 38 years, Dr. Compton provided loving dental care to the people of Summerville and the surrounding area.
Outside of work, Richard was a true explorer. Always up for adventure, Richard successfully obtained his pilot’s license and scuba certification. He was also an avid Alabama Crimson Tide Football fan.
Dr. Compton is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Teresa Carlton Compton; son, Dr. Richard Keith (Dr. Melissa) Compton of Summerville, GA; daughters, Tera Compton (Dr. Meiklejohn) McKenzie of Cookeville, TN, Amber Compton (Phil) Schaller of Cookeville, TN, and Dr. Myra Compton (Lucas) Simpson of Savannah, GA; his mother, Rachel Myra Tittle Compton; siblings, Regina Jones of Summerville, GA, Jessie (Cheryl) Compton of Chattanooga, TN. Richard was very proud and delighted in his six grandchildren, Victoria Evelyn Compton, Aiden Dane McKenzie, Ian Alastair McKenzie, Opal Lorraine Schaller, Graham Rhodes McKenzie, and Greta Reese Schaller.
