Richard “Rick” Allen Gaskin passed away on October 13, 2024, in Greenville, SC. He was 77 years old, just three days shy of his 78th birthday.

Rick was born on October 16, 1946, to Robert Roy and Bennie Joyce “Jo” Gaskin in Lancaster, SC. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Jo and his wife of 42 years, Theresa Kenny Gaskin.
He is survived by his wife Sharon Valentine, his daughters Kerri Amerman (Matt) and Erin Hardin (John), his grandson John Ezekiel Hardin, his brother Tommy (Frances) and sister Royce (John) and his sister-in-law, Deborah Hart. Rick was blessed with a bonus family in his marriage to Sharon and is survived by daughters, Melissa Ruge (Tom), Katherine Groce (Luke), and Mariah Woody (Cameron) and nine more grandchildren, Gabrielle, Evelyn, and Victoria Ruge, Hugo, Oscar, Lyda, Vera, and Rose Groce, and Logan Woody.

Rick graduated from Lancaster High School, Mars Hill College, and Yale Divinity School. He worked for Horry County Rehabilitation Center in Conway, SC, owned Cornerstone Creations, a Christian bookstore in Myrtle Beach, and then an events advertising company for churches throughout the southeast.

Throughout his life, Rick’s true passion and gift was ministry, and he served others until his final days. In the early days of his marriage to Terry, they started and supported organizations that helped children and teens without families in Rock Hill, SC and Conway, SC. Later, with his partner, Ralph Williams, Rick founded the Horry Youth Club in Conway, SC to provide teens in the area a place for boxing instruction and a place to go after school. Through this organization, he spent close to 20 years in the world of amateur boxing, and it became one of the greatest interests in his life. Rick and Terry were the counselors for Trinity Methodist Church’s youth group (MYF) for many years during the 1980s and many of their “kids” from the group became family. He was also heavily involved in Emmaus and Chrysalis, retreats and communities for adults and teens, sponsored by The Upper Room. Rick was always an active member in his churches: Trinity United Methodist (Conway, SC), First United Methodist (Myrtle Beach, SC), All Saints Church (Pawleys Island, SC) and Seacoast Church (Greenville, SC).

For more than 35 years, Rick was committed, with a deep love for the Kairos Prison Ministry, where he served the men of Evans and Lee prisons in South Carolina. With his wife, Sharon, Rick served on the Celebrate Recovery leadership team. He lovingly helped young children in Sunday School and summer VBS, developing their own faith story. He often joined Sharon with Miracle Hill outreach projects. Rick loved his comradery connection involving men’s Bible study groups and fellowship. Throughout the year, he prayed over every birthday card that he wrote to each congregate for Seacoast Church.
A man of favorite quotes and Bible verses, Rick openly shared the wisdom he learned by God’s presence, mercy and grace. Most recently, he was active in leading a small group study on God’s promises, using scripture and people's stories to love and encourage others. Rick always had a great story, an ear for listening, and sound advice. He was an avid history buff, appreciated a joke, and loved a good baseball game, especially if the Braves were winning. His greatest treasure was his family, and he delighted in the joys of being a grandpa.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Seacoast Church, 212 Roper Mountain Road Extension, Greenville, South Carolina 29615, located in Carolina Prep.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Seacoast Greenville Kidscoast, Seacoastlegacy.org (then select Greenville) or Kairos Prison Ministry International.
Online condolences may be made to www.thewoodmortuary.com.