Dr. Richard L. McCord age 85 of Murfreesboro passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Friday November 20, 2015. Dr. McCord was born in Bethesda, TN November 4, 1930; on his mother's birthday. He was the son of the late Calvin Gordon and Mary Millard McCord.

After graduating from Bethesda High School in 1949 he received a BS Degree in Mathematics from MTSU. After serving in the United States Air Force he earned a Master's Degree and later PhD from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. At the age of 25, he began his forty year teaching career as a Mathematics Professor at MTSU. His students and colleagues knew him as a kind and gentle professor with a wonderful sense of humor.

During his teaching career, Dr. McCord was cited by NASA for outstanding research which he conducted while holding a faculty research fellowship in Huntsville, AL.

Dr. McCord is survived by his loving wife of 56 Years, Martha Bass McCord, his daughter, Kathy Bennett and husband Randy; son, Dr. Chris McCord and wife Rita of Cedar Rapids, IA, and his beloved grandchildren, Ashley McCurry and husband Jamie and Ethan McCord and Lucy McCord. He is also survived by brothers, William McCord and wife Dolores, and Rodney McCord and wife Pauline. He was preceded in death by brothers, Ernest M. McCord and Rev. Dale McCord.

Dr. McCord was a member of First Baptist Church; He was a wonderful father, husband, and a wonderful man. He was resourceful, creative and an all-around genius. He was also fervently faithful in the Lord.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00PM on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Dr. Noel Schoonmaker and Rev. Pam Pilote will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00PM until 7:00PM on Monday, November 23, 2015 at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Dr. Jonathan McCord, Jeff Bass, Jamie McCurry, along with friends of the family will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to National Parkinson Foundation www.parkinson.org.