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Richard Caughron O’Brian passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of 89.

Rich was born February 13, 1937, in Gary, Indiana, to Grover and Earsie Caughron. He spent his early childhood in Gary before his family settled in Fairfield, Alabama. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1955 and later from Howard College, now Samford University. His younger brother, Russell Caughron, joined the family eleven years after Rich.

Over the course of a long and remarkably varied life, Rich was a pastor, broadcaster, journalist, teacher, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. But of all the titles he carried, the one closest to his heart was preacher.

His faith shaped the direction of his life. Rich pastored churches in Alabama, Maryland, Delaware, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and wherever his career and family would take him. Even late in life, he continued to fill pulpits in southeastern Colorado. The Thursday before he died, he was not feeling well and preparing to preach on Sunday. His wife thought he should cancel. He said, “I’ll get better.” In a sense he did get better as he entered his eternal home that Saturday. Some die with their boots on. Rich died with a sermon outline for Sunday.

Rich also spent decades telling other people's stories. He worked in newspapers, radio, television, and even podcasting in communities across the country, including Helena, Montana; Casper, Wyoming; Lincoln, Nebraska; Topeka, Kansas; and Eads, Colorado. He also taught Mass Communications at Washburn University in Topeka, KS.

In his later years, Rich returned to writing, sharing his observations, memories, faith, and unmistakable personality through his As Time Goes By column in the Kiowa County Independent. Whether behind a pulpit, in front of a television camera, behind a microphone, in a classroom, or at a keyboard, Rich was at his best when he was communicating the stories of others and the truth of the Gospel.

Rich was married to Jimmie Ruth Williams from 1957 to 1973. In 1974, he married Dianne Rund, and together they shared 52 years of marriage. Their blended family became one of the great joys of Rich's life. As the years passed, the details of his children's and grandchildren's lives seemed to matter to him more and more.

Throughout Rich’s life, there were churches, television studios, radio stations, classrooms, and newsrooms. But in the end, the people with whom he made the journey mattered more than the places it took him.

Away from work and ministry, Rich loved Atlanta Braves baseball, Alabama football, and a good crossword puzzle, which was part of nearly every day.

Rich is survived by his wife, Dianne Rund O’Brian; his brother, Russell Caughron; his children, Carla Caughron; Christa (Dennis) Handley; Todd (Lori) Novak; Julie (Steve) Curtin; Tanya (Mike) Hsu; and Brian (Nancy) O’Brian; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Earsie Caughron.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 28, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with family present, at Brown Funeral Home, 1109 Hickman St. Eads, Colorado.

A funeral service celebrating Rich's life will be held Saturday, August 29, at 10:00 am at Eads Community Church in Eads, Colorado, followed by committal at Eads Cemetery.

A Richard O’Brian Memorial Fund has been set up at GN Bank in Eads to support the Light of Hope Mission in India, a Christian charitable organization based in Cheppad, Kerala, India, led by Pastor Pappy Daniel, a longtime friend of Rich and Dianne.  The Mission oversees residential care and orphan homes for destitute and vulnerable children in India.  Checks can be made payable to Richard O’Brian Memorial Fund, and mailed to P.O. Box 847, Eads CO 81036

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.