Ricky James Metcalf

A Logger’s Prayer“Be with me Lord throughout this day, May your breeze be gentle today, To keep the tree’s from falling my way. Lord, hold up the logs while I boom them down, It sure is good knowing you’re around. Lord, may your mountains not be so steep as I drive down with a big load behind my back and only a prayer beneath my feet.”Ricky James Metcalf, 62, Johnson City, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the Johnson City Medical Center, following an apparent heart attack.Rick was a native of the Ernestville Community of Unicoi County, and had been a resident of Johnson City for most of his life. He was a son of the late Robert James and Eula Mae Roberts Metcalf.Rick was the Co-Owner of Metcalf Tree Service, the company he and his late wife Mary founded and have operated for over forty years. He loved big logging jobs, especially cutting danger tree’s on TVA lines. Rick was also an avid hunter and fisherman.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Heatherly Metcalf, who passed away Friday, January 12, 2024, and a brother, John Dale Metcalf.Rick is survived by two children, Richard James Metcalf, Johnson City, and Riketta Danielle Metcalf, Johnson City; four grandchildren, Cadence Metcalf, Raydon Metcalf, Austin Gross, all of Elizabethton, and Mary Katherine Gross, Johnson City; one great-granddaughter, Evie Gross, TX; two brothers, Ronnie Metcalf, Marble Mount, WA, and Robby Lynn Metcalf, Erwin.The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 2:00 P.M., from the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home.The graveside committal service will follow in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends Tuesday prior to the service from 12:00-2:00 P.M. in the East Parlor of the funeral home.Read Obituary