Mr. Richard Lee Denham

Richard Lee Denham of Gulf Shores died in Mobile, Alabama, on June 13, 2017, at the age of 71. Richard Denham is survived by his wife Lisa Todd Denham; one daughter Callie Payne and one grandson Anthony Payne, both of Snellville, Georgia; one brother C. Barry Denham of Hernando, Florida. He is preceded in death by parents Gurley C. Denham, Jr., and Ruth Lee Denham, maternal grandparents Paul and Lessie East Lee, and paternal grandparents Gurley C. (Sr.) and Daisy Watwood Denham. Richard Denham was born in Albertville, Alabama. He graduated from Albertville High School where he lettered on the high school basketball team and the baseball team. He received a degree from Snead Junior College, where he played on the baseball team. In 1968, he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Jacksonville State University, where he was a member of the JSU tennis team. From 1969-71, he served in the U. S. Army including a tour in Vietnam 1969-70 when he was stationed with the U S Army Audit Agency in Saigon. In 1971 he began his career in education as a physical education teacher at Alabama Avenue Middle School. During his education career, he earned a master’s degree from University of Alabama Birmingham and certification for a year past the master’s. Leaving Alabama Avenue, he moved to Albertville High School in the vocational education department eventually becoming the director of the program. While at Albertville High School, he sponsored the Student Government Association and coached the tennis team. He returned to Alabama Avenue first as assistant principal before ending his career as principal. After retirement, he changed careers by becoming a real estate broker in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where he and his wife have lived until his death. Richard could often be found on the golf course. He enjoyed traveling to different courses and attending professional golf tournaments. In Gulf Shores he played golf as many days as possible. In April 2017 he won the Club Championship at Peninsula Golf Course. He was a member of St. Andrews By the Sea church. Visitation will be Friday, June 16, from 5:00-8:00PM at Adams Funeral Home in Albertville. The service at Adams will be Saturday at 11:00AM with Fr. Ben Alford conducting and music by Jane Ellen Nelson. Burial will follow the service in Memory Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to American Cancer Society.

Mr. Richard Lee Denham

May 1, 1946 - June 13, 2017