Swansboro- Dr. Richard Wilcher Scroggs, 70, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, February 14, 2021.  He was born February 24, 1950 in Washington, D.C., a son to the late, Ralph Talley and Geraldine Frances Wilcher Scroggs.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at a time to be determined at Swansboro United Methodist Church with Pastor Kevin Baker officiating.

Rick was a historian, a life-long teacher and school principal, and loved his family, his church, his boat, his creekside home, and his Tennessee Vols, in that order.  Rick received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in 1972, promptly married Deanna, then they moved together to Swansboro where he could satisfy life’s necessities- surfing and gainful employment.  He taught in Onslow County Schools for three years before becoming a teacher on Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base where he had a distinguished 32-year career spanning multiple schools, grad levels, and administrative positions.  He also obtained two Masters degrees from East Carolina University, one in History and one in Education, and completed his doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro obtaining his Doctorate of Education in 1989.

Supporting family was Rick’s paramount priority always, which meant long hours of side-jobs to supplement a teacher’s income, including: first-mate on the fishing charter boat, the Nancy Lee, coaching high school sports, brief stints in insurance and real estate, and as Captain of Tally-Ho fishing charters.

He was a proud member of Friends of the Oyster founded by Greg Fitzpatrick of Bear Creek and a passionate contributor to the Letters to the Editor section of the Tideland News.  He testified on numerous occasions before the N.C. Department of Marine Fisheries in support of legislation to protect recreational fisheries on the N.C. coast and enjoyed meetings of the Cape Lookout Flyfishers Club.  He was humbled to be asked to be a founding member of the Beacon Service at the Swansboro United Methodist Church, the first contemporary service to be offered to the congregation.  He was an avid reader, football fan, and devout Methodist.

He was a generous grandfather who shared his love of fishing and reading with his grandchildren.  He did not let an occasion pass to inquire about their schooling, their passions, and how many push-ups they were doing each day to stay healthy.   

He is survived by his wife Deanna Hollingsworth Scroggs; daughter, Talley Hollings-Scroggs Kovacs and her husband Dr. Louis Kovacs of Baltimore, MD; grandchildren, Wyatt River Kovacs and Fiona Marais Kovacs; sister, Paddy Anderson of Connecticut; and brother, Lanny Scroggs of Garner, N.C.  He is also survived by devoted friend and fishing partner, Chuck Woodul; and ever present, feline companion Redfish.

He was preceded in death by a brother, J.P. Kraus    .

https://www.jonesfh.org/obituary/DrRichardRick-Scroggs