Charles Eugene Rickell

Charles Eugene Rickell, known as “Gene…the Textile man with a twinkle in his eye,” passed away at the age of 85 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home on December 29, 2023. He had battled Parkinson’s, Polymyositis, and Dementia for more than a decade.

He was born on January 12, 1938, in Frederick, MD, the only son of the late Arthur and Julia Schneider Rickell. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anna Shadoin Rickell; sons Thomas Eugene Rickell of Seattle, WA and David Arthur Rickell of Dunwoody, GA; daughters-in-law Harmony Hasbrook and Katie Rickell, granddaughter Melody Ann and grandsons Charlie and Eli.

Gene graduated high school from St. John’s Literary Institute in Frederick, MD in 1956. He went to N.C. State University and graduated in 1961 with a B.S. in Textile Technology. While at NC State he was a proud member of SAE, but most importantly met his future wife Anna, who was attending Meredith College.

He followed his father into the textiles industry, and had a successful career that spanned 46 years. He worked in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City with JP Stephens, The Bibb Company, and Dan River. Mr. Rickell lived in Pelham, NY for 27 years, where he was very involved in the community and both of his sons went to Pelham Memorial High School. He sang in the OLPH choir, was on the board of the Pelham Guidance Council, and a member of the Pelham Rotary Club and the Pelham Booster Club. He was the president of the Pelham Ski Club, and loved watching kids ski, even though he was physically unable to join them.

Mr. Rickell had a lifelong love of sports and being outdoors. He held season tickets for the NY Mets and was a member at the Novato Country Club in Marin County, the New York Athletic Club, the Pelham Country Club, the Cornell Football Crescent Club, and the Swat’m golf organization. He also enjoyed a second home on a canal in Ocean Pines, MD where he loved to spend time on boat rides and at Assateague Island.

In 2007 he and Anna moved to Spartanburg, SC. He was member of First Presbyterian Church, The Piedmont Club, and loved going to concerts and shows, particularly at the Spartanburg Little Theatre.

The family would like to recognize the significant role his care givers played in his end of life. For 10 years he received wonderful care, 24 hours a day from many capable and caring “angels”. He loved and respected them, and they always brought a smile to his face.

A memorial service to celebrate and honor the life of Charles Eugene Rickell will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. Alan Dyer and the Rev. John Daniel DeBovoise. The family will receive friends following the service in the Church Parlor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304, or to Miracle Hill Ministries, PO Box 2456, Greenville, SC 29602.

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com

Floyd’s North Church Street